Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Defra is responsible for improving and protecting the environment. The department’s mission is to restore and enhance the environment for the next generation, leaving it in a better state than we found it.

Defra is the policy lead on the central plank of chemicals regulation in GB, UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals), which aims to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment, alongside enhancing innovation and competitiveness. Defra also lead on regimes implementing international Conventions (POPs and mercury).

Defra’s programmes complement actions by others, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE are the agency responsible for the operational delivery and enforcement of UK REACH. HSE are also responsible for the policy and operational delivery of the CLP (classifying and labelling chemicals) and the biocides approval regimes.

The department’s role as Government is to put in place a comprehensive programme of chemical management, which uses monitoring, early warning systems and innovative regulation to minimise risk from harmful chemicals, allowing our communities to thrive and giving biodiversity the opportunity to recover, whilst facilitating a supportive regulatory environment for the chemicals sector