During the UK HSE's webinar 'Regulating Chemicals After the UK Transition Period' on 20th Jan, it was stated that EU Distributors could register in UK REACH, by appointing a GB-based Only Representative. This appeared to be a clear departure from EU REACH, but in many ways, made good sense.
For example, an active EU distributor supplying substances and mixtures to the mainland UK, where his EU-27 manufacturer(s) has an EU-REACH registration but no interest in the GB market, could continue to support GB customers.
Sadly, late Friday 22nd Jan, the UK HSE provided a correction clearly stating a non-GB Distributor actually has no role in UK REACH. The error blamed on apparent reliance on an early draft of UK REACH. This correction is entirely reflective of EU REACH, and the UK's Brexit Government dogma. However, this surely only adds additional difficulties to GB/EU-27 supply lines for GB chemical formulators. It also highlights the real need for a consolidated UK REACH text as soon as possible, especially when even the HSE gets it wrong. #GBOnlyRepresentatives, #GBchemicalimporting, #UKREACH