European Chemical Industry views on the future-relationship negotiations between the EU and the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union on 31st January 2020, both sides are now engaged in the future-relationship negotiations during the transition period. A priority in these negotiations is the conclusion of a trade agreement that will be the core of the future economic relationship.

In 2018 bilateral EU27 – UK chemicals trade amounted to about €46 billion. With the UK chemical industry representing 6% of total EU28 sales and UK exports to the EU27 representing about 60% of UK sales in 2018, both sides are important markets to each other with highly integrated supply chains in the chemical sector and downstream.

While noting the challenges ahead, including the timing of the negotiations, this agreement should secure, at the minimum, frictionless trade in chemicals and a high degree of regulatory alignment between the UK and the EU-27.