UK government to develop new chemicals strategy

The UK government is to develop its first new chemicals sector strategy in over two decades, an official said on Tuesday, as the country prepares to leave the EU. To be developed over the next couple of years, the new UK strategy on chemicals will look at key government priorities for the sector, with environmental and human health, regulation and the circular economy expected to be key, according to Holly Yates, deputy director for chemicals, pesticides and hazardous waste at the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). “It is important not to underestimate extent that the government is serious about the environmental agenda,” said Yates.