Brexit has caused a crisis for British manufacturers who export into Europe – and things could be about to get even worse...

A House of Commons Library briefing paper discussing the EU REACH regulation for chemicals, the impact of Brexit on the chemicals industry and UK Government plans for a separate UK REACH regime after the end of the transition period.

It’s been a challenging first year for UK REACH, with stakeholders from all sides unhappy with the compromises that have been made, but often for different reasons.

Experts warn UK’s regulations now lag behind those of the EU and that Britons will be exposed to more toxic chemicals as a result.

The government is to loosen EU-derived laws on chemicals in a move experts say will increase the likelihood of toxic substances entering the environment.