News Details

On 26 February 2026, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced draft legislation proposing amendments to several chemical regulations in Great Britain. These include the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP) Regulation, the Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR), and the Prior Informed Consent (GB PIC) Regulation. The proposed changes are detailed in the draft statutory instrument The Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026, laid before Parliament on 25 February 2026.

The amendments aim to simplify regulatory procedures and reduce administrative burdens while maintaining protections for human health and the environment.

Changes to GB CLP Classification and Notification Requirements

The draft regulation proposes several amendments to the GB CLP framework. Notably, the current requirement for companies to submit classification and labelling notifications to HSE would be removed. Consequently, the GB CLP notification database would no longer be maintained. However, companies would still be required to retain relevant hazard information and provide it to the relevant authorities upon request.

The proposal also restructures the process for establishing mandatory classifications. A revised procedure would allow classification proposals to be submitted by relevant authorities, with the HSE publishing a work plan outlining the substances to be evaluated. The changes would also introduce a fast-track mechanism allowing Great Britain to consider classification proposals from other jurisdictions with comparable hazard classification systems.

Extension of Biocidal Active Substance Approvals

The draft legislation also introduces transitional measures under the GB BPR. Approvals for 173 active substances that would otherwise expire between 23 June 2026 and 30 July 2031 would be automatically extended to 31 July 2031, provided a renewal application has already been submitted. The measure is intended to prevent market disruption while renewal evaluations are ongoing.

In addition, the proposal would allow emergency authorisations for unauthorised biocidal products to remain in place for up to 550 days, or until a product authorisation decision is made, whichever is sooner.

Updates to Export Rules under GB PIC

Further amendments are proposed to the GB PIC Regulation which governs exports of hazardous chemicals. The draft regulation would streamline certain export procedures and harmonise the conditions under which exporters may rely on waivers from the requirement to obtain explicit consent from importing countries.

The amendments also update references to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, transferring certain administrative functions relating to the PIC chemicals list to the designated national authority.

The draft legislation will now be considered by both Houses of Parliament before it can be adopted. The full text of the draft Statutory Instrument can be accessed here.