Stop The UK Government Relaxing Chemical Safety Laws
There are chemicals in your blood that didn’t exist a generation ago.
They’re in the food you eat, the water you drink, the packaging your children’s lunches come in, and the clothes on your back. Many were never properly tested for long-term safety, and now the science shows links between these chemicals and diseases like cancer.
Instead of acting on the science and tightening up chemicals regulations to protect our health, the Government has relaxed the regulations, introducing a new “fast track” making it easier and faster for more new chemicals to be sold in the UK.
Campaign Overview
We want chemical safety laws that protect people, not convenience for industry.
We want proper scrutiny, not a system that hands the HSE unchecked powers with no independent oversight or ability for Parliament or the public to check their homework.
Above all, we want a future where chemicals are proven safe before they enter our lives, not after the damage is done.
July 2025
Consultation response
Fighting Dirty responded to the HSE consultation on chemicals legislative reform. We noticed several problems with the consultation itself, raising our concerns with the HSE that the process was potentially unlawful.
April 2026
Starting legal proceedings
After almost a year of correspondence with HSE and the Department for Work and Pensions, plus coordination and collaboration with other expert campaigners, we formally notified Government of our intention to start legal proceedings.
October 2026
Papers filed and served
After several delays by Government, we finally filed our claim at the High Court and served papers on the defendants; HSE and the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions. We now wait 2-4 months for a judge to give permission to proceed to a court hearing.
Legal Confirmation
Clear, binding and defined safeguards, instead of vague assurances.
Independent Checks
A transparent process that scrutinizes chemical checks with independent checks and balances.
Trustworthy Assurances
Assurances that unsafe chemicals aren’t in our food, water, clothing and everyday cosmetics.
What's next?
This campaign is happening right now – and legal battles aren’t cheap.
With your help, we can hold the government accountable and force real change.
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