CHEMUK 2024 "Divergence" Panel - EU/GB Divergence – the gap is starting to grow.

Caroline is a chemical legislation expert, with experience of interpreting and implementing EU legislation relating to hazardous chemical substances. Her knowledge and expertise is wide ranging, covering both supply and transport legislation including REACH, Safety Data Sheets, Poison Centres, ADR, COSHH, basically anything related to chemical safety and compliance!

Caroline is very passionate about her work and wants to ensure that everyone is safe in their work with dangerous goods and chemicals and that companies comply fully with the regulations. Caroline will also help companies to save money where perhaps they are overregulating, a good example of this is suggesting that companies transport in Limited Quantities (LQ) (where applicable of course!) thus saving money by not needing to purchase UN approved packaging.

This experience has been developed through consultancy projects and working with both government and specific working groups and trade associations, as well as her time in industry!

Lorna Williams is an independent consultant for the Chemicals and Materials sector, appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the British Adhesives & Sealants Association (BASA) in 2023; her consultancy company holds a rolling contract to run the Secretariat. BASA is a trade association representing the Adhesives and Sealants sector with over 90 member companies. With a background in Materials Science and over 30 years’ experience in technical and commercial roles related to the adhesives and sealants and construction products markets, Lorna is heavily involved with aspects of UK, European and International standardisation and is actively involved with many other European National Associations within FEICA, the European Adhesives and Sealants Association.

With a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Nottingham, Eleanor then gained industrial experience before entering the Chemical regulatory world in 2014. After spending nearly 10 years with Safeware Quasar/UL in the regulatory office assisting clients with global GHS issues, and designing compliance software, she then moved to Lisam UK in July 2023. She is now using her experience to improve the Lisam ExESS software for the UK and EU market.

Darren enables clients throughout the chemicals and life sciences supply chain to get and keep their products on the European market (both in the UK and the EU).

He provides a global clientele (companies, consortia and trade associations) with strategic advice, undertakes advocacy before public authorities and agencies and litigates before courts and tribunals (including the ECHA board of appeal and CJEU).

Darren has a wealth of experience with regulation of biocidal products, plant protection products, REACH, CLP, food and feed, GMOs and wider aspects of environmental law, including extensive work with the Aarhus convention.

Chambers & Partners Europe-wide Regulatory (2020) recognizes his environment and Agro/Food practice, quoting clients’ praise: “exceptional expertise on…regulations on chemicals…and a great ability to understand the complexity of business.” “When it comes to things like REACH and chemicals law, he is the best” and “provides the complete package of client attention and partnership” (2023).

Pete gained a masters degree in mechanical engineering and management from Birmingham University. He went on to gain a post graduate certificate in design manufacture and management from Cambridge University. Pete started his career with GKN Automotive as process development engineer. He spent the next 10 years in a wide range of manufacturing environments including automotive, plastics, minerals and defence specialising in product safety and compliance.

Pete has worked as a compliance consultant for over 20 years, specialising in large industrial equipment such as machinery, process and energy plant, pressure equipment and equipment for explosive atmospheres. He was a joint founder of Authorised Rep Compliance in 2020.

He speaks five languages and has travelled widely in the course of his work and leisure activities. Pete is a keen caver, walker and cyclist, and lives in Lancaster with his family and numerous pets.