With a world-class reputation for safeguarding the health and safety of people at work, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is adapting and evolving to meet the new challenges ahead. A crucial part of our mission to protect people and places is through our regulatory responsibility for chemicals, where we have three exciting policy opportunities working in one of two policy teams as they embed and develop chemicals regulation following EU Exit.
Two roles exist in the Chemicals Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Policy Team, and one in the Biocides Policy Team.
The CLP team is responsible for UK Government policy on Regulation (EU) No 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (‘the CLP Regulation’). The CLP Regulation adopts the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of the classification and labelling of chemicals, which aims to help protect people and the environment, and to facilitate trade. It does this by requiring suppliers of chemicals to classify (identify the hazards) of chemicals they place on the market, before labelling them with safety information, and packaging them safely.
The Biocides Policy Team manages UK Government Policy on the supply and use of biocides, which are products such as insecticides, wood preservatives, disinfectants and rodenticides which kill or control harmful organisms. Biocides play a critical role in protecting public health and infrastructure against harmful organisms but can pose risks to people and the environment. To mitigate these risks, they must be authorised by HSE before they can be supplied and used.
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, HSE set up new standalone regulatory frameworks for Great Britain in these areas. Developing and operating these new frameworks is now giving rise to a range of complex policy challenges, including:
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Responding to the challenges and opportunities of leaving the EU to improve and reform the way chemicals are regulated in Great Britain
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Developing new policy on how HSE should engage with chemicals regulatory schemes and developments internationally – in the EU, international organisations and elsewhere in the world
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Managing domestic policy on chemicals regulation, taking into account the complex mix of devolved responsibilities across the four UK nations
These roles provide an exciting opportunity to work as part of a friendly, collegiate and supportive team at the heart of addressing these policy challenges in the years to come. This is a fascinating time to work in chemicals regulation with many key questions about the future shape of the regulatory system still to be determined. The roles offer excellent development through working across a complex and challenging policy portfolio, opportunities for cross-government working and exposure to HSE senior leaders in a high priority area for HSE.
Responsibilities
As a Policy Advisor you will support the Policy Team Leader by providing policy advice and guidance on Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (as amended) or The Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012).
You will work with the team to develop a long-term strategy for the future development of regulation in these areas whilst:
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working with government lawyers, economists and social scientists, and chemicals regulatory scientists
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obtaining and using credible evidence to develop policy recommendations
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drafting ministerial submissions and briefings and contributing to responses to official correspondence, MPs letters, and parliamentary questions.
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maintaining an awareness of the wider policy context and developing HSE’s response to wider government policy initiatives where required
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developing collaborative relationships with stakeholders in other government departments, the devolved nations and industry to deliver policy priorities
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working flexibly to support colleagues in other policy teams when the need arises