The HSE have released the following bulletin regarding the export and import of hazardous chemicals should the UK leave the EU without a deal:-

The aim of this e-bulletin is to provide you with updates, news and information on the PIC Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals).

Below is a further update on preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

The government has made it clear that it wants to the UK to leave the EU on 31 October. If it is not possible for this to happen via a negotiated outcome the UK will be set to leave with no deal.

HSE is the PIC Designated National Authority (DNA). Earlier this year, as part of our planning for the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, we put in place temporary arrangements to allow UK-based companies to notify exports of PIC chemicals to EU countries in the immediate period after exit. In preparation for exit day being on 31 October, we are now restarting these arrangements.

These interim arrangements will only apply to the first export of the chemical or product in 2019 and where the intended date of export is between 1 November and 5 December inclusive (the first 35 days after exit). If you are not planning to export a PIC listed chemical during this period, you will need to wait until after exit day to notify your export under the new UK PIC system.

You do not need to resubmit any export notification forms submitted under the interim arrangements that were in place during March and April, provided that the information is still valid.

We will recognise UK export notifications for 2019 made under the EU PIC Regulation that are already in place when we leave the EU. Companies do not need to resubmit these.

When the UK leaves the EU, the PIC Regulation will apply to the export of listed chemicals from the UK. This means that what are currently intra-EU movements of PIC listed chemicals between the UK and other EU countries will become subject to export notification, and in some cases the consent of the European Commission will also be required before export can proceed. Each notification will cover exports of that product to any EU member state.

If you are intending to export a PIC-listed chemical during the first 35 days after exit day and you have not already been contacted by the DNA, you are advised to contact us as soon as possible at ukdna@hse.gov.uk. Please include in the subject line of your email ‘UK PIC – 35 day transitional period – notification’.