BASA Open Industry Forum 27th November 2025

Agenda:

09:00   Tea, Coffee and Registration

09:45   Welcome & Introduction, Jim Palmer BASA Technical officer

Session 1: Product Management

10:00  Navigating Construction Products Regulations: The Future of CE Marking in the UK and EU - Lorna Williams, BASA CEO

10:20   EPR and the Future of Flexibles: Avoiding Unintended Environmental Trade-Offs - Brian Lodge, BPF

As the UK prepares for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the future of flexible packaging hangs in the balance. This session explores concerns that EPR could reduce recycling quality and drive a shift from plastics to heavier paper-based alternatives, potentially increasing overall packaging weight and environmental impact. The speaker will discuss how the industry can avoid these unintended consequences and secure a balanced, sustainable approach to packaging in the UK.

10:40   Innovation Under Pressure: The Challenges of Modern Formulation Development - Anthony Thresh, Hodgsons Sealants Ltd

Innovation in the consumer market is increasingly constrained by evolving regulatory pressures and shifting public perceptions. While compliance with CLP labelling requirements already influences packaging design and product formats, a growing concern lies in the regulatory scrutiny of individual substances, often driven by precaution rather than robust scientific evidence. This environment creates uncertainty for formulators and slows the introduction of genuinely new, sustainable, and high-performance products. This presentation will explore how these challenges affect formulation development, the pace of innovation, and the competitiveness of UK manufacturers, while proposing ways the industry can engage more effectively with regulators and consumers to ensure science-based decision-making.

11:00 Breakout Session

WG members opportunity to network and meet their fellow WG members

11:15 Environment & Sustainability & Chemicals Legislation working groups meet at poster stand

11:30 Sealants and Construction working groups meet at their poster stands

Session 2: CLP & labelling

11:45   Navigating Divergent Regulatory Landscapes: EU vs GB Compliance for Manufacturers - Sandra Wade, Henkel

As manufacturers operating across both the EU and Great Britain, we face increasing complexity in maintaining compliance with chemical regulation, particularly in the areas of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and CLP labelling. One of the most pressing challenges is the difference in chemical substance classification under the EU CLP Regulation and the GB CLP Regulation

Post-Brexit regulatory divergence continues to create uncertainty for manufacturers navigating packaging and labelling requirements across Great Britain and EU. This presentation will outline the practical challenges of dual compliance, increased costs, and supply chain complexity. It will also consider how clearer guidance and regulatory alignment could support competitiveness and innovation in the UK market.

12:05   A Retailers view of the Challenges of EPR - Tom Penton, B&Q

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) presents significant challenges for retailers as they adapt to new cost structures, data reporting demands, and evolving packaging expectations. This presentation will share a retailer’s perspective on navigating compliance, engaging suppliers, and managing consumer perceptions while striving to meet sustainability goals. It will also highlight the need for collaboration across the supply chain to ensure EPR delivers real environmental benefits without unintended commercial impacts.

12:25   HSE’s smarter Regulation - Leo McDaid and Andrew Low, HSE

HSE's "smarter regulation" for GB CLP, GB BPR, and PIC focuses on modernizing chemical regulations to reduce burdens and support innovation while maintaining safety, with a recent consultation seeking public input on proposed reforms. Key elements include streamlining compliance, making public access to documents like assessment reports, and retaining existing classifications as mandatory in Great Britain. For businesses, this means adhering to new or updated rules for classification, labelling, authorization, and notification, which could also lead to cost savings and support for innovation.

12:45   Breakout and Lunch

WG members opportunity to network and meet their fellow WG members.

13:30 Packaging Adhesives working group please meet at their poster stands

Session 3: Regulators Update

13:45   HSE reforms to BPR, CLP, PIC – part 2 - Leo McDaid and Andrew Low, HSE

14:15   UKREACH – where are we now? - Rebecca Leete, DEFRA 

Following recent consultations on extending dossier submission deadlines for transitional registrations and also looking at an alternative transitional registration models, Rebecca Leete (hopefully) will be outlining what the consultations and the EU reset mean for UK REACH and the challenges of being a downstream user or chemical distributor in the UK.

14:35 Explosives & Drug Precursors - Police Sergeant Steve O’Donovan & DI Melissa Tudor, Explosive Precursor Engagement Team, Homeland Security Group (HSG)

In the UK, both explosives and drug precursors are heavily regulated, requiring licences for their acquisition, possession, and use by the public. The Control of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023 (CEPP) specifically control substances like ammonium nitrate (above 16% nitrogen content), hexamine, and certain concentrations of acids, among others, and includes stringent verification requirements for businesses supplying them. Separately, drug precursor chemicals are controlled through licensing to prevent their diversion for illicit drug production. Today’s presentation will help BASA members understand their obligations and the tools available to help retailers and suppliers comply with their obligations.

15:05   Summary & Closing Comments by Jim Palmer