Defra are inviting views on the European Commission’s proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast) through four simultaneous consultations. The separate consultations are on:

The substantive amendments in the proposed Directive,
The components of the proposed Directive which will have a particular impact on combustions plants,
The components of the proposed Directive which will […]

Technologies such as Air Source Heat Pumps, Ground Source Heat Pumps and Water Source Heat Pumps will, on July 23 2008, be added to the list of sources of energy and technologies which would cut emissions of greenhouse gases in Great Britain, following The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 (Sources of Energy and […]

REACH regulation came into force
The REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulation came into force on 1 June 2007. Registration is phased over a period of years based on tonnage levels and in some cases the hazards of the chemical. However, to take advantage of the phase in time you will need to pre-register […]

The Environment Agency are welcoming comments from all interested parties on two pieces of newly published guidance documents: “Deep Geological Disposal Facilities for Radioactive Wastes: Guidance on Requirements for Authorisation” produced jointly with the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland, and  “Near-Surface Disposal Facilities for radioactive wastes: Guidance on Requirements for Authorisation” produced jointly […]

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have launched a two month consultation on their guidance on the control of toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative substances set to protect the water environment and are inviting views and comments on the matter. In particular, comments are sought on the following matters:

SEPA’s proposals for determining whether a discharge is […]

The Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) has published a draft report on “Ozone in the United Kingdom” on which it is currently inviting views and technical comments. The AQEG provides advice on such things as the levels, sources and characteristics of air pollutants in the UK and considers current knowledge on air pollution. The Report […]

The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) are inviting views and technical comments on two draft reports published in May. The first report, “guidelines for metals and metalloids in ambient air for the protection of human health” is the second report by the EPAQS as part of a new work programme in which the […]

Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to fully come into force
On 20 May 2008, The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2008 was made, bringing into force the final part of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.
The Order brings into force Section 22 of the 2004 Act, relating to the SSSI register for […]

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) have designated June 9, 2008, the first International Accreditation Day.
What is International Accreditation Day?

International Accreditation Day provides an opportunity to celebrate accreditation and the benefits it provides to Regulators, businesses and consumers.
For more information visit the International Accreditation Day public area of the ILAC […]

Defra, with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Devolved Administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is consulting on the draft Regulations and administrative arrangements for the enforcement in the UK of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and […]