15th November 2016

HSE’s Inspection plan 2016-17

HSE announces that the purpose of the 2016-17 Inspection Programme is to target sectors where substances causing cancer, asthma and silicosis are regularly used, produced or process generated, to ensure the risks are properly managed.

Ill health effects from exposure to these substances can be chronic and life-changing and every year many workers develop occupational asthma or occupational cancer as a result of exposures to substances in their workplace.

The inspection programme includes aluminium and copper production and casting of iron, steel and non-ferrous metals.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/og/og-00067.htm?ebul=gd-moltenmetals&cr=10/Nov16

13th December 2016

ECHA press release

ECHA’s Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) have adopted nineteen recommendations for the use of hexavalent chromium in aerospace and surface treatment industries. RAC also started to discuss the classification of glyphosate and will continue to do so in March 2017. RAC adopted eleven opinions on other harmonised classification and labelling proposals. https://echa.europa.eu/-/glyphosate-discussed-and-opinions-given-on-hexavalent-chromium-by-echa-s-scientific-committees

16th December 2016

Consolidation of waste packaging regulations postponed

DEFRA reports that the consultation on consolidating the packaging waste regulations has been concluded.  It has not been possible to gain a consensus on the changes in time to update the regulations to meet previously agreed targets. It has therefore been decided not to go through with the consolidation this year.  The situation will be further reviewed in 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/packaging-regulations-consolidating-the-packaging-waste-regulations

 

6th January 2017

HSE announces changes to the process for authorising emergency use of plant protection products

HSE has announced the updated UK arrangements for considering Article 53 emergency authorisations under Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 and associated charging.  Changes in the process include:

The use of a new application form The role of the Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP) in considering applications for emergency authorisations. The timing of the approval process

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/topics/pesticide-approvals/pesticides-registration/applicant-guide/the-applicant-guide-emergen.htm

The changes, including the introduction of a new application form (CRD9), will take effect from 10th January