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:

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

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

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