Article 50: Chemical bodies call for ‘certainty’ as Brexit negotiations begin

Cefic’s director-general Marco Mensink argued certainty would help chemical companies adapt and continue to do business in a “rational and predictable manner”.

“Politicians on both sides must provide the earliest possible signal concerning how the EU and UK will trade in future so companies on both sides can continue their mutually beneficial trading relationship,” Mensink said.

Meanwhile, in response to the trigger of Article 50, the Chemical Industry Association (CIA) urged Prime Minister Theresa May to secure “a wide-ranging agreement” with the EU.

CIA chief executive Steve Elliott said: “It is now more important than ever that the government fully engages with the European Union, seeks input from all stakeholders and does not allow any short-term political interests to harm future UK trade and investment prospects.

“I hope negotiations proceed smoothly and, whilst business needs certainty and to some extent speedy resolution, we also urge patience in order to make sure we avoid a bad deal or no deal.”