‘Fast-track’ regulation could expose Britons to harmful chemicals, say campaigners
Summary
A UK environmental group called Fighting Dirty is suing the government over plans to speed up how chemical hazards are classified in UK law. They worry this could allow harmful chemicals with weaker safety rules from countries outside the EU to be approved, possibly putting public health at risk.Key Facts
- Fighting Dirty is challenging UK government plans to fast-track chemical hazard classifications from other countries.
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) proposed changes to how hazardous chemicals are identified, labeled, and regulated in the UK after Brexit.
- The HSE initially said it would follow EU chemical safety standards, which are very strict.
- The final government regulations omitted references to the EU standards.
- Fighting Dirty fears this omission could let chemicals classified as harmful in the EU be approved if they come from countries with lower safety rules like the US, China, India, or Brazil.
- Examples include chemicals linked to cancer, like hexavalent chromium.
- The campaigners say the changes could weaken protections and increase health risks for the British public.
- The HSE says the new rules will include ways to block weaker safety practices from outside the EU but critics believe the rules are not clear enough.
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