Export and import of hazardous chemicals (PIC) from the 1 January 2021
The Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020. On 1 January 2021, we established in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) an independent Prior Informed Consent (PIC) regulatory regime for the export and import of certain hazardous chemicals.
Businesses exporting or importing PIC-listed chemicals from or to Great Britain are required to comply with the new GB PIC regime.
There are new procedures and arrangements for notifying exports of PIC-listed chemicals from Great Britain.
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Northern Ireland
Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, the EU PIC Regulation will continue to apply to Northern Ireland. If you're exporting PIC-listed chemicals from Northern Ireland or moving them to Great Britain you will need to comply with EU PIC. You can find out more on the HSENI website.
GB PIC
The new GB PIC regime is similar to the existing EU regime. The 2 regimes operate independently of each other and there are different procedures for notifying exports under GB PIC.
The GB PIC regime is operated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the PIC Designated National Authority (DNA).
How GB PIC may affect your business
Under GB PIC, you must notify your intention to export PIC-listed chemicals to countries outside GB by completing a PIC export notification form.
For some chemicals the explicit consent of the importing country is required before export can take place, and the GB PIC DNA seeks this consent on behalf of the exporter.
There is also a requirement for both exporters and importers of PIC-listed chemicals to report their annual quantities to the DNA.