Thread by @pmdfoster

NEW: Where EU chemicals Assoc boss Marco Mensink @MMens and UK's Assoc Simon Marsh @See_Chem_Bus warn of coming "double whammy" to chemicals industry from #Brexit and new EU rules - now accepting deal will be v thin. via @ft w @Michael_Pooler
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ft.com/content/d73436…

@MMens @See_Chem_Bus @FT @Michael_Pooler Both bosses now seem to accept that a data-sharing deal to enable UK to build parallel REACH chemicals database won't happen - but still want decent Annex in FTA on chemicals to try and mitigate damage - details on dual registration regime here/2

https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1290319702095519745?s=20

@MMens @See_Chem_Bus @FT @Michael_Pooler The immediate issue is that UK companies will need a EU "only representative" for trade in EU (not clear that high % yet done this) which is worrying @MMens and others.../3

@MMens @See_Chem_Bus @FT @Michael_Pooler BUT in a good piece of news, industry now has two years to file with UK REACH "BREACH" and a total of six to complete, per @geoffmackey1 @BASF which helps with timings....but not costs. 'Letters of Access' to data can cost $100ks. Industry estimate total duplication costs £1bn/4

@MMens @See_Chem_Bus @FT @Michael_Pooler @geoffmackey1 @BASF What is interesting is that EU and UK associations *united* in wanting pragmatics to win over politics - but not clear that will happen. All of Europe will suffer. Mensick @MMens recalls recent Chinese delegation totally baffled, asking "why would any region do this to itself"?/5

Good Q! But bottom line chemicals (which are foundational to much manufacturing) have dual upheaval of both #Brexit and new EU regs that are likely to increase burdens/complexities. ENDS