Chemicals firms move regulation to EU in case of no-deal Brexit

Fears of no-deal Brexit prompt 50 firms with UK operations to seek to use EU regulators

The threat of a no-deal Brexit has prompted a slew of chemicals companies to move regulatory approvals from the UK to the EU to protect their ability to do business legally.

More than 50 British chemicals companies with operations in the UK have applied to use EU regulators for critical authorisations that will become worthless if there is no transition arrangement following 29 March, the planned date of Brexit, according to data provided to the Guardian by the European commission.