On 30th March, Defra announced increases to the fees local authorities charge for regulating air pollution and other emissions from industrial processes. For 2006-7, all local authority air pollution fees for industrial processes will rise by 2.5% over current levels.
A 2.8% increase for the year will apply to the Environment Agency water charges […]

The Environment Agency issued a request for data on 6 March 2006 to all installations that will be included in Phase 2 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. This request does not apply to most installations that were registered for Phase 1. Operators who must send in the data requested include those:
• who have […]

This consultation (issued 28 March 2006) seeks views on the UK Draft National Allocation Plan for Phase II of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (2008-2012).
Comments are sought on all issues contained within the document but Defra has posed a number of questions on which views are particularly sought. These questions are highlighted throughout the […]

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has published a consultative document seeking comments on proposals for the Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Biocidal products are used in a variety of industries to control unwanted organisms, such as animals, insects, bacteria, viruses and fungi. They are intended to kill or otherwise exert a controlling […]

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, which creates two new organisations charged with conserving and enhancing England’s valuable natural environment and giving a stronger voice to rural communities, received Royal assent on 30th March.
The Act enables the creation of “Natural England”, bringing together the strengths of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency, and […]

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No. 737) were laid before Parliament on 16th March and enter into force on 6th April. These Regulations amend the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005 (”the 2005 Regulations”) in order to further implement the EC Emissions Trading Directive (Directive 96/61/EC). […]

New measures under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act come into force on April 6, and will see local authorities better-equipped to combat litter in terms of both prevention and penalties. As well as the power to increase fines from £50 to £80, local authorities can also:
• require occupiers to clear their land of litter;
• stop […]

The Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations (SI 2006 No.641) were laid before Parliament on 10th March and entered into force on 1st April. These Regulations contain provisions relating to the licensing of abstraction and impounding of water in England and Wales in the light of amendments made by the Water Act 2003 to […]

Back pain and manual handling injuries are among the most common occupational ill health problems in the UK. In catering and hospitality industry kitchens there are many tasks that without proper controls can cause back pain or upper limb injuries.
In 2004/2005 an estimated 2 million people suffered occupational ill health with back pain and upper […]

Regulations made on 31st March apply waste management controls to agricultural waste for the first time in England and Wales.
The Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 (known as the Agricultural Waste Regulations) will come into force on 15 May 2006 and will apply the same controls on agricultural waste that have applied to […]