EU referendum: UK chemical makers stay on the fence … for now

London –The Chemical Industries Association has issued a position statement regarding the up-coming referendum on whether or not the UK should remain a member of the European Union.

The carefully worded statement said: “The UK chemical industry respects that, first and foremost, the EU referendum is a matter for government and individual citizens. The issue needs to be considered with great care and respect for the facts.

"For an internationally-exposed industry such as chemicals, the free movement of goods, services, capital and people as well as proportionate regulation are critical success factors in terms of global competitiveness. Irrespective of the outcome of a referendum, these success factors remain constant.”

The Association added that it would continue to review its position as greater detail of any reform package emerges.

Linked to this, the UK prime minister’s special advisor on the EU is to brief the November Council meeting on latest political developments.

At that stage, the prime minister will likely have confirmed the UK’s key demands on a reformed Europe, noted the CIA, adding that it would re-survey CIA members when any “new deal” is made clearer.