UK Chemicals Policy & Regulation

Leigh is Chemical Watch News & Insight's Managing Editor and was previously in charge of our global business coverage. Prior to joining the company, Leigh wrote for the Press Association, ICIS and edie.net, covering a range of environmental and business related topics.

Julie joined Defra in March 2021 and works on UK REACH policy delivery in the External Communications and Stakeholder engagement team. Prior to this she worked for over 28 years at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a range of roles, most recently working with stakeholders in the role of Universal Credit Partnership Manager.

Caroline is a chemical legislation expert, with experience of interpreting and implementing EU legislation relating to hazardous chemical substances. Her knowledge and expertise is wide ranging, covering both supply and transport legislation including REACH, safety data sheets, poison centres, ADR, COSHH, in fact basically anything related to chemical safety and compliance!

Nishma Patel is the Policy Director at the Chemical Industries Association. Nishma joined CIA in 2008 working on transport and supply chain related policy developments both at European and at national level. Nishma is now responsible for leading the associations work on policy as it relates to climate change, environment and chemicals management. Nishma also manages the associations subsidiary business REACHReady, providing support to companies affected by REACH and related regulations.

Chloe Alexander has worked on UK chemicals policy and regulation at CHEM Trust since 2020. She previously worked as a senior UK parliamentary researcher working on environmental issues for over ten years, including on the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 and the 2018 Agriculture Bill. She campaigned on issues affecting the creative sector from the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, as Policy Development Officer at Equity and political consultant to the trade unions of the Performers Alliance.

Hermione Mackelworth works on UK REACH policy delivery in the External Communications and Stakeholder engagement team in Defra. Prior to joining Defra, she had 9 years of experience in Market Research, working with a variety of clients including automotive, FMCG and media clients.

Pietro, Director of REACHLaw UK Ltd based in Manchester, focusing on UK REACH business and to guiding clients through the UK REACH regulation. Pietro holds both a Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) degree in Chemistry along with a Master Degree (MPhil) in Chemistry specialised in X-Ray Crystallography from The University of Manchester. Pietro also hold a Diploma in Corporate Governance, from the Corporate Governance Institute based in Dublin and University accredited by Glasgow Caledonian University.

Jonathan Swindell leads on the topic of post-Brexit REACH Regulations for the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), and for the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Through his past work in the USA, Germany and the UK, Jonathan has gained over 27 years’ experience in managing chemicals regulations both in consultancy, and within the automotive, chemical and steel industries. Since 2013 Jonathan has held the role of Product Stewardship Manager at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), based in Warwickshire, UK, where he manages JLR’s Product Environmental Regulations Team and specialises in chemicals regulatory compliance, chemicals approvals, and export classification.

Simon has recently joined the environment, chemicals regulation and product stewardship practice at Steptoe & Johnson. With a first-class joint honours degree in chemistry and law, Simon has developed particular expertise in EU and UK regulations on the control of chemicals and products, such as REACH and RoHS, supply chain risk, and liability arising from chemicals in the environment. Simon is recommended in the leading legal directories where he is described as “super – especially on chemicals regulation” (Chambers 2021).

Of German nationality, Dorothee Arns is a seasoned public affairs and business professional with vast experience in successfully leading profit and nonprofit organisations. Her professional career in the chemical industry started in 1995 at BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where in the course of the years she held senior management positions in various areas of BASF chemicals' business, notably in marketing, sales, eBusiness and controlling. In the non-profit area Dorothee Arns served as Executive Director of Petrochemicals Europe at Cefic from 2013 to 2019 and beforehand, from 2006 to 2011, she had already worked as Director General of the European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG). During all these years in Brussels, she has built up an extensive network of contacts within the EU Institutions and far beyond. On 1 June 2019 she was appointed Managing Director of Fecc, the European Association of Chemical Distributors.

Nico joined the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association in August 2019 as Head of International Growth & Regulatory Services. With a scientific background, having studied Pharmacy at the University in Barcelona, specialising in Industrial Applications and Healthcare Law; before joining the CTPA, he held regulatory roles within the cosmetic industry from a manufacturer, a brand and a consultancy perspective, focusing on international expansion both from Spain and the United Kingdom. At CTPA, Nico is involved in the work carried out on the implications of Brexit for the cosmetic industry, as well as being a member of several Trade Advisory Groups for the Department for International Trade focussing on new Free Trade Agreements and working to ensure the UK cosmetics industry’s access global markets.

David has recently retired after 35 years in global legislative processes, and a wide range of experience of EU biocide committees, working groups and technical workshops. In addition to his recent role as Senior Regulatory Analyst in Chemical Watch he worked for just under 20 years at UK HSE (UK Competent Authority for Biocides) as well as 7 years in industry and 5 years as a consultant.

Tim Doggett is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chemical Business Association (CBA), a multi-award-winning trade association representing the UK’s chemical supply chain. Under his leadership, the CBA plays a pivotal role in shaping industry standards, advocating for the sector, and driving innovation. With a strong international presence, Tim actively champions the chemical supply chain not only in the UK but globally. He engages with multiple stakeholders at all levels, fostering business growth, trade expansion, and knowledge-sharing. His work also extends to capacity building in critical areas such as international security, safety, and regulatory compliance. A passionate advocate for talent development, he is dedicated to advancing skills and professional growth within the industry.

Darren enables clients throughout the chemicals and life sciences supply chain to get and keep their products on the European market (both in the UK and the EU). He provides a global clientele (companies, consortia and trade associations) with strategic advice, undertakes advocacy before public authorities and agencies and litigates before courts and tribunals (including the ECHA board of appeal and CJEU). Darren has a wealth of experience with regulation of biocidal products, plant protection products, REACH, CLP, food and feed, GMOs and wider aspects of environmental law, including extensive work with the Aarhus convention. He loves tackling “impossible” problems, learning new fields and working in multi-disciplinary client teams, with scientists, business leaders, regulatory and public affairs specialists and (even other) lawyers.

Hannah Senior Associate at Steptoe and member of the Brussels Bar (Dutch section)advises clients on EU regulatory compliance questions in the areas of chemical and product regulations, including REACH, CLP, biocides, plant protection products, and fertilizers.

Amy has worked on Rules of Origin and Tariffs in BEIS since 2018, working extensively with UK associations and businesses in the lead up to the negotiations with the EU for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and since the agreement was implemented. Amy has also been involved in various negotiations with Rest of World trade partners on Rules of Origin.

Ahmed joined BEIS in 2020 to work on Rules of Origin and Tariffs. His focus is on supporting the implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and providing guidance and assistance to traders to explain the new requirements for UK-EU trade.