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UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (UKCSF) announces its new terms of reference

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 14/08
Date: 22 January 2008

Ministers from Defra and the Devolved Administrations have approved new terms of reference for the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum.

Since the future of the Forum and its terms of reference were last considered by the Government in 2004, the environment in which stakeholders operate has changed.  In light of this, the Forum has reviewed and changed its terms of reference to take account of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), and the increasing interest of business in pursuing the opportunities presented by greater sustainability in the manufacturing, marketing and use of chemicals.

Phil Woolas, Minister for the Environment, said “The Forum’s new terms of reference will enable it to retain its strong voice.  The Forum is a unique and valuable body, and I am delighted that it will retain its independent role in helping the Government to prioritise and manage chemicals, while being a strong promoter of greater sustainable consumption and production throughout the chemicals supply chain.”

Terms of Reference for the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum

The purpose of the Forum is to advise Government on managing risks to the environment and to human health via the environment that may result from the production, distribution and use of chemicals.  Recognising the changing circumstances in which chemicals are regulated, the Forum aims to be a strategic body, paying due regard to the promotion of sustainable consumption and production throughout the chemicals supply chain, to the life cycle of chemicals, to the precautionary principle, and to the need to add value and not replicate activities undertaken elsewhere.

In particular it will:

  • review the effectiveness of REACH in realising its goals in the light of the experience and needs of UK stakeholders;
  • review the effectiveness of the UK Competent Authority in delivering its obligations under REACH, and engage it in an on-going dialogue to reflect stakeholder views and concerns;
  • advise Government on measures to promote the sound management of chemicals internationally;
  • continue to promote voluntary action by industry in the UK where this can make a contribution to a reduction in the overall use of those substances recognised by the Forum as being priorities for action;
  • communicate and encourage best practice and innovation, and encourage others to do so;
  • promote more effective linkages throughout the chemicals supply chain, and between all those with an interest in the future of a sustainable and competitive UK chemicals industry.

In order to measure the effectiveness of the activities above as they relate both to itself and others, the Forum will develop key performance indicators against which it can assess performance.

Notes to editors

Further information on the UKCSF and the ACHS can be obtained from the Defra website. Any queries should be sent to Chemicals.Strategy@defra.gsi.gov.uk

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Page published: 22 January 2008