Environment

Recent Articles

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  05.09.2023

  International

  Deep sea mining: navigating in murky waters

  On 9 July 2023, the latest deadline for finalising the draft exploitation regulations for deep sea mining in international waters expired without agreement.1 This deadline resulted from a letter from the pacific state of Nauru in 2021 stating an intention to apply for approval of a ‘plan of work’ for exploitation of deep sea minerals. The letter triggered a sub-clause within the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, (“the 1994 Implementing Agreement”) which gave the International...

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  30.08.2023

  International

  CBAM Implementing Regulation and Extensive Additional Reporting Guidance Published

  Earlier this month, the European Commission (“EC”) adopted an Implementing Regulation (“IR”) and released extensive Guidance Documents (“Guidance”) on the practicalities of reporting requirements for the transitional phase of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”) framework. This first material phase of CBAM will commence on October 1, 2023 (“Transitional Period”). The Guidance complements the IR in providing vital instructions for both installation operators (exporters) outside the EU and importers of CBAM goods within...

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  16.08.2023

  United Kingdom

  Food waste reporting to remain voluntary in spite of favourable consultation response

  The government has announced that the reporting of food waste will not be made mandatory for large businesses in England despite this proposal receiving overwhelming support from respondents to its consultation. As such, food waste reporting will remain on a voluntary basis until mid-2025, when a review will be undertaken.   BackgroundThe 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy for England outlined the government’s approach to tackling food waste in England, with a pledge to consult on the annual reporting of food surplus and waste by food business operators (“FBOs”) and on...

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  14.08.2023

  United Kingdom

  Recent UKCA announcement not all that it seems – yet?

  On 1 August 2023, the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade announced its intention to indefinitely extend the period of recognition of CE marking for a wide range of products. The announcement could herald a change of course which many businesses will welcome; the implication being that manufacturers and importers will now be able to choose whether to use the EU’s CE conformity assessment procedure and affix affected products with a CE marking, or use the UK’s assessment and UKCA mark for Great Britain (“GB”), beyond the existing December 2024 deadline,...

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  28.07.2023

  Europe

  Significant overhaul of EU batteries legislation now law

  On 28 July 2023, the EU Regulation on Batteries and Waste Batteries was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (the “Regulation”). It will enter into force twenty days following its publication (on 18 August 2023) and start to apply six months thereafter, albeit with some significant provisions having a deferred entry into force of between twelve months and twelve years. The Regulation constitutes an overhaul of the batteries regime applicable in the EU, with the existing Batteries Directive (2006/66/EC) being repealed for the most part and replaced by the Regulation....

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  27.07.2023

  England and Wales

  Gove refuses planning permission for redevelopment of M&S’ flagship store on Oxford Street

  The Secretary of State (“SoS”), Michael Gove, has refused Marks and Spencer's application for planning permission for the redevelopment of their Oxford Street department store.M&S submitted a planning application in June 2021 for the “demolition of the three existing buildings on site and for the construction of a 2-basement, ground plus 9 storey mixed use development (Use Class E) comprising retail, café/restaurant, office and gym as well as a new pedestrian arcade, public realm works and associated works”.The application was supported by Westminster City Council...

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