UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (CSF)
The UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (CSF) was set up in September 2000 following the development of the UK Chemicals Strategy in December 1999.
The principal function of the Forum is to advise the Government on how industry should reduce the risks from hazardous chemicals to the environment and to human health through the environment. The Forum has 23 members drawn from industry, environmental and animal protection and conservation organisations, trade unions, consumer groups and the scientific community, and is chaired by Christopher Hughes.
The broad membership of the Forum ensures that they are well placed to explore the views of the many sectors of society who work with or are concerned about industrial chemicals. The Chemicals Strategy set out the Forum's remit and role in more detail.
The work of the Forum does not cover chemicals found in pesticides. These are covered by the Pesticides Forum - see the Pesticides Safety Directorate website.
The Forum advises the government on:
- Public concerns about chemicals in the environment.
- The identification and assessment of chemicals considered likely to cause serious or irreversible damage to the environment.
- Industry proposals for action to reduce these risks.
The Forum, with assistance from the Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances, has established criteria for identifying chemicals likely to cause serious or irreversible damage to the environment. An initial list of chemicals fulfilling these criteria was compiled and a number of these chemicals have been considered by the Forum. Following the 2004 review of the UK Chemicals Strategy and the Stakeholder Forum it was decided that the Forum should move away from detailed examination of individual substances towards encouraging more rapid industry action on substances in groups. In addition the Forum has an advisory role to Government on current and future REACH discussions.
The Forum has access to high quality scientific, technical, economic and other guidance. This covers a range of environmental, health and other issues which fall within the responsibility of many Government departments. One of The Forum's sources of such guidance is the Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances (ACHS).
Latest news
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22 January 2008 - UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (UKCSF) announces its new terms of reference
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3 August 2007 - The reappointment of Chris Hughes as Chairman of the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum (UKCSF).
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17 July 2006 - The UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum welcomes public sector procurement initiative
At its 25th meeting, the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum welcomed the initiative by the British Association for Chemical Specialities (BACS) and the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI) to produce guidance on substances used in cleaning products for procurement professionals in the public sector. See news release 330/06
Meetings
The dates for UKCSF meetings in 2008 are:
- 22 January 2008 - at Defra, 3-8 Whitehall Place,London, SW1A 2HH (rooms LG 3, 4 and 5).
- 22 April 2008
- 22 July 2008
- 14 October 2008
This will be an open meeting and members of the public are invited to attend. Please let the Secretariat know by email chemicals.strategy@defra.gsi.gov.uk or by phoning 020 7238 1596 if you intend to be present. An agenda and papers for the meeting will be published on this website a few days before the meeting.
The Secretariat have produced guidance for presenters (PDF 25 KB) to the Forum to assist the efficient administration of the agenda at meetings. Would all presenters please take account of these when preparing presentations.
We publish reports, agendas and minutes of meetings
Members
Please see the full list of member organisations.
Further information
- Recent progress and the Forum's work programme in recommending action required by industry
- Information on member organisations
The UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum publishes an annual report:
- UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum Annual Report 2005 (PDF 600 KB)- published November 2006
Contacts
The Forum would like to hear from members of the general public on any of the above issues or from anyone who would like to attend one of its meetings. You can contact the Forum Secretariat at:
Defra
UKCSF Secretariat
Area 2A, Nobel House,
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Tel: 020 7238 1579
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Page last modified:
27 February 2008
Page published: 4 December 2002