Chemicals

Defra's chemicals pages are a source of information on what the Government is doing to protect the environment - and, consequently, human health - from the risks posed by exposure to hazardous chemicals. At the same time, the Government aims to maximise the important socio-economic benefits that we rely on chemicals for.

Whether a chemical represents a hazard or not depends on its scientific properties. Defra's job is to manage the risks relating to such hazards, that is, the chances of a hazard leading to the harm of humans or the environment.

The chemicals we use are not just found in laboratories. They are all around us on an everyday basis. As well as occurring throughout nature, chemicals are in our clothes, our food, and are built into our homes. This is why the successful control of our use of chemicals is such an important goal for us.

News and Developments:

• Review of the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum - see the UK Chemicals Policy page (16 October 2003)

• Consultation: Action to Control the Risks from Nonylphenol, Octylphenol and their Ethoxylates. A News Release has been issued. (15 October 2003)

• Lord Selborne reappointed as chairman of the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum - see this Defra Information Bulletin (16 September 2003)

• Consultation on: European Commission proposal for a Regulation on persistent organic pollutants Deadline 10 October 2003

• Chemicals Stakeholder Forum: list of Chemicals of Concern

• Chemicals Stakeholder Forum - Second Annual Report - 2001-2002 - see also this News Release (11 March 2003)

• Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances - Annual Report 2001/2002 - see also this News Release (16 January 2003)

• Endocrine Disruption in the Marine Environment Programme (EDMAR) - report of the research programme - see also this News Release (16 December 2002)

• "The New EU Chemicals Strategy: a Position Statement by the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations" (100kb) has been published - see also this News Release (9 December 2002)

Further information:

The Government works with UK stakeholders to develop solutions that can be applied, at national level, to reduce the risk of chemicals damaging the environment. See our UK Chemicals Policy section.

Defra have an ongoing chemicals research programme carried out by external contractors. For more information, please visit specific chemicals issues, where a link to Defra's chemicals Consultancy Programme may be found.

The effect of chemicals on health and the environment is also very much a European and worldwide issue. The Government is very much involved in these areas:

• International Policy
• Future EU Policy

• Current EU Policy

• You will find some specific information about relevant chemicals in other areas of our web site - see for example the sections on air or water quality, or radioactivity.

• Information specifially about pesticides is published by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) - www.pesticides.gov.uk. Some older documents, previously published by the then DETR, are listed on our "documents index" page pending completion of their transfer to PSD.

Contacting Defra

If you want further information about chemicals that is not covered by these pages, you can contact us by e-mail at:

• chemicals.strategy@defra.gsi.gov.uk