UK: HSE Releases Updated Advice on Brexit

The UK Government has now published extensive information on contingency plans across several different policy areas should the UK leave the European Union without an agreement. A number of these technical notices specifically relate to health and safety at work, chemicals, and workplace machinery.

Although the Government remains committed to securing a negotiated outcome with the EU, the possibility of no deal being reached remains. A no-deal Brexit would mean abolishing the planned 21-month transitionary period on March 29, 2019, making the exit immediate.

As such, businesses and citizens are being urged to understand what they would need to do in the event of a no-deal Brexit, so they can make informed plans and preparations.

EU Exit Updates

Workplace rights

This notice informs businesses, workers and citizens of the UK’s plans to continue workplace protections if there’s no Brexit deal.

Trading goods regulated under the ‘New Approach’

This notice explains the future arrangements for the regulation of most goods covered by the EU’s New Approach, which includes those regulated under the ‘New Legislative Framework’ as well as machinery.

Regulating chemicals (REACH)

This notice sets out how businesses producing, registering, importing or exporting chemicals would be affected if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no deal.

View all technical notices here.

Further information on the EU exit is available on the website of the Department for Exiting the European Union.