DEFRA announced in April that the regular UK Chemical Stakeholders Forum meeting schedule for 24th June would be postponed, and that current work on the country’s Chemical Strategy would be suspended, as relevant staff were being moved to support priority work on Covid -19, on which of course everyone will wish them well.
Meanwhile, there have been mixed signals on the government’s statements about a shortage of chemical reagents contributing to difficulties in applying testing for the pandemic. The Chemical Industries Association has stated on its website –
“Our headline message to Government is that the chemical industry needs to keep operating in this unprecedented climate, so we can keep delivering the key solutions for the economy, society and, most immediately the NHS and other public and emergency services. Enabling that to happen requires continued access to raw materials, the ability to make our products and to get them out of the factories and to the customer.
There has rightly been media attention focused on the Government on issues of testing and the availability of chemicals. We have said “While there is of course an escalating demand, there are reagents being manufactured and delivered to the NHS. Every business here in the UK and globally is looking at what they can do to help meet the demand as a matter of urgency. To clarify the exact NHS need and meet it, all relevant UK industries are continuing to work closely with Government". We are rightly asked about it because of the word chemical but it is more an In Vitro Diagnostic industry issue. They and others continue to work with the NHS to deliver more reagent.
The Science Media Centre comments on this issue: https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-comments-about- reagents-needed-for-covid-19-swab-pcr-testing/
Our key message to Government has been “We are here to help if Government tells us what is needed”.
Meanwhile, and unless and until otherwise advised between now and then, with the Transition Period due to end on 31 December 2020, firms introducing new chemicals onto the EU and UK market would be subject to both EU REACH and UK REACH, and similar complications will apply to some of the key supply chains needed to support the UK chemicals industry.
For further information, please contact William Wilson at info@wyesideconsulting.com tel.+44(0)1225-730-407