Overview
Event Details
Please join us on Thursday, October 16, in Manchester for Chemical Reactions: UK Chemicals Conference 2025. The 2nd edition of our annual conference will offer a deep dive into the evolving landscape of UK chemicals regulation and policy.
We'll cover topics including the future direction of UK REACH, PFAS regulatory and litigation risks, and practical chemical compliance solutions. The work of key public sector stakeholders will be discussed including the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the First Tier Tribunal, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency, and others.
This event is a joint initiative by the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) and Steptoe. It is aimed at those wishing to stay abreast of new developments and building pan-European compliance and market access strategies. Attendees will include policymakers, regulators, public officials and senior product compliance and stewardship professionals.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Please note space at the event is limited, register early to secure your spot.
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Further information on Steptoe's and CIA's privacy policies can be found at https://www.steptoe.com/en/privacy/index.html, and https://www.cia.org.uk/privacy-policy.
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Registration
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Programme
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Networking Cocktail Reception
Speakers: Speakers will include CIA, Steptoe LLP, and other key stakeholders.
Fee: £50
Location: Hyatt Regency Manchester | 55 Booth Street West | M15 6PQ | Manchester
Programme
9:00 –9:30 – Registration
9:30 –9:40 – Welcome Address & Introduction
Dr Roger Pullin, Head of Chemicals Policy & Health, CIA
Darren Abrahams, Partner, Steptoe
9:40 – 11:00 – Session 1: UK REACH
- Position to date (incl. ATRm)
- Policy objectives
- Stakeholder perspectives, consultation feedback, and more
- Next steps
Moderator: Tom Gillett, Associate, Steptoe
Panelists:
Silvia Segna, Senior Chemical Policy Executive, CIA
Neil Hollis, Regulatory Affairs Manager, BASF
Darren Abrahams, Partner, Steptoe
11:00 – 11:30 –Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:45 – Session 2: the architecture of UK chemicals regulation
- Policy priorities/perspectives
- What’s working, what's not
- Update on the UK REACH Work Programme and review of the Candidate List Principles
Moderator: Elodie Brière , Associate, Steptoe
Panelists:
Dr Cecile Brich, UK REACH Work Programme Development Team Leader, DEFRA
Judge Kathryn Saward, Salaried Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, General Regulatory Chamber
Alison Thornber-Barwick, Regulatory REACH Compliance Manager, Lubrizol
12:45 – 13:45 – Lunch
13:45 – 14:05 – Keynote Address: CIA Project 2035
- Pathways for a resilient and sustainable future. This evidence and scenario-based project informs a 2035 outlook for the UK chemical industry and its future sustainability.
Speaker:
Dr Roger Pullin, Head of Chemicals Policy & Health, CIA
14:05 – 15:25 – Session 3: PFAS litigation and regulation: which way will the UK turn?
- UK policy on PFAS
- UK litigation
- Lessons from litigation in the US
Moderator: Tom Gillett, Associate, Steptoe
Panelists:
Edward Latter, Chemicals Policy Team Leader, DEFRA
Tony Hopp, Partner, Steptoe
Zanda Romata, Senior Associate, Steptoe
15:25 – 15:45 – Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:00 – Session 4: The future of UK chemicals regulation beyond REACH
- CLP/Biocides - REUL developments
- Navigating uncertainty: what can you do now
- Hopes for the future
Moderator: Silvia Segna, Senior Chemical Policy Executive, CIA
Panelists:
Leo McDaid, Team Leader, Direction & Policy Group, Engagement and Policy Division, HSE
Dr Pierre Cruse, Policy Team Leader, Engagement and Policy Division, HSE
Viola Whittaker, Global Strategic Regulatory Manager, Croda Europe Ltd
Tom Gillett, Associate, Steptoe
17:00 – 17:15 – Closing Remarks
Dr Roger Pullin, Head of Chemicals Policy & Health, CIA
Darren Abrahams, Partner, Steptoe
17:15 – 19:00 – Networking Cocktail Reception