UK Chemicals Regulations & Policy 2022

Steve George has worked for 33 years in the Aerospace and Defence industries, He has wide cross-functional experience through operating within a large multi-national enterprise and in working across industry sectors, with the European Commission, ECHA, UK officials and parliamentarians. Steve has chaired a REACH Authorisation consortium, held trade association director and officer roles, and chaired the European Aerospace and Defence REACH and Chemicals working group for 10 years. Steve has had good working relations with management at all levels of organisations, effectively communicating on difficult issues around Brexit and supply obsolescence. His “downstream” supply chain and complex product experience provides a valuable alternative perspective on chemical regulation challenges.

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.

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.

15+ years working in specialist information and events including product safety, chemicals compliance and metals. Joining Chemical Watch in 2018 and leading the brand transition to Enhesa, Ryan currently heads up the go-to-market strategy for Enhesa Product.

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.

James works for the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as Head of UK REACH policy and service. Alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Environment Agency, James led the UK cross-government programme of work to ensure the UK implemented and delivered UK REACH and Pesticides regulatory regimes from 1 January 2021. James now leads work on the ongoing development and improvement of the UK REACH service (including IT system), and on UK REACH policy so it meets current and future needs.

Emma has 35 years of experience working as a journalist and editor specialising in the health and environmental impacts of chemicals in products - 15 of those at Chemical Watch. She left in 2021 to explore avenues for raising general awareness about chemical issues, in the broader context of sustainability. Working with a great team of consumer journalists, she is in the process of launching the Ocki website, which blends information, with community activities, events and tools - all aiming to empower people who want to live sustainably.

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.

Iain is a chemist (FRSC) and on leaving academia spent more than 20 years in a variety of scientific, regulatory and managerial roles with a multinational Si company. In 2009 Iain co-founded and became the managing director of the knoell group’s UK affiliate, Dr Knoell Consult Ltd. He has continued to lead the UK company as well as directly providing REACH consulting support to a variety of clients. In recent years, he has become active in the developing area of standalone UK chemicals regulations, specifically UK REACH, on which he has written articles and presented.

Tom Gillett advises clients on environmental and product law, with a focus on chemicals regulation (REACH, CLP, biocides, food contact), product safety and standards (CE/UKCA marking, RoHS, WEEE), sustainability, and the circular economy (packaging, producer responsibility and waste) in both the EU and the UK. Tom’s product defense experience includes: strategic advice for maintaining market access; advocacy before EU and UK institutions and agencies; appeals before the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Board of Appeal; regulatory investigations; and commercial disputes concerning product compliance, safety and liability.

Francesca has a Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, specialising in Cosmetic Science. Francesca works at CTPA as Scientific Affairs Manager.  Previously, Francesca worked in Regulatory Affairs and Research & Development for a number of companies, gaining knowledge in product compliance, claims and claims substantiation requirements for the UK and Ireland.

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!

Neil is an experienced scientist and regulatory expert with over 35 years involvement in the chemical industry. He has worked in various technical and product safety related roles and currently leads on regulatory affairs for BASF in the UK. He began his career with Allied Colloids, which was subsequently combined into Ciba Specialty Chemicals in 1998, before this organization was acquired by BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, in 2009. Since 2007, Neil has been actively involved in REACH compliance projects including registration dossier compilation, SIEF negotiations, data & cost-sharing mechanism construction alongside consortia representation and production site conformity. Currently, he is coordinating BASF’s activities and providing guidance on the development and implementation of corporate processes to ensure UK chemicals legislation compliance across BASF’s expansive portfolio.