Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
I have given formal consent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs laying the REACH (Amendment) Regulations 2023 in Parliament. This statutory instrument extends the transitional deadlines for the registration of existing chemicals with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by GB businesses following EU Exit by three years. The purpose of this extension is to enable the rules on registration to be reviewed and updated, both to reduce the costs to businesses and to provide more useful data to GB regulators. The deadlines for the checking of registration dossiers by the HSE are also being extended.
These Regulations are made by the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 140 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 21 to, the Environment Act 2021. These regulation-making powers to amend the REACH Regulation can only be exercised by the Secretary of State and are not exercisable separately by the Welsh or Scottish Ministers. However, by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 21 to the Environment Act 2021 and Article 4 of the REACH Regulation, the Secretary of State must seek the consent of the Welsh Ministers if, or to the extent that, the exercise of the regulation making function is within devolved competence (within the meaning of section 58A(7) and (8) of the Government of Wales Act 2006).
Further information on these changes and the reasons for them may be found in the public consultation outcome document on gov.uk.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.