§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the European Commission's draft proposals for the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals; and what assessment her Department has made of the likely impact of the proposals on the chemicals industry. [132860]
§ Jacqui SmithThe UK Government fully support the objectives set out in the Commission's White Paper on the new EU Chemicals Strategy. Following the Commission's consultations on draft legislative proposals in May to July this year, the Commission has indicated its intention of making a number of changes to the proposals. The Government welcome any changes intended to make the proposals more effective and workable, and will be considering the revised proposals in consultation with stakeholders. Once adopted, the Government will carry out a separate UK consultation, and that will be accompanied by a regulatory impact assessment.