Environment calendar – August 2006

The environment calendar highlights key dates for proposed and existing legislation and policy and closing dates for consultation papers relating to major environment issues in the EU and England.

It will provide a useful tool for environment managers tracking new legislation for the purpose of implementing an environment management system such as ISO 14001 or EMUS.

It will also be helpful for those in environment technologies industries seeking new opportunities by highlighting upcoming legislation.

Key developments this month include:

• 4th August is the in-force date for new measures bringing radioactive land within the contaminated land regime. The new regulations make provision for Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to have effect with modifications for the purpose of the identification and remediation of radioactive contaminated land (other than in circumstances where the operator of a nuclear installation is liable under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 or in related circumstances). Main changes include:
  • a modified definition of contaminated land so that cases involving radioactivity are brought within part 2A;
  • radioactive substances are covered only insofar as human health is concerned (other receptors such as ecological systems or controlled waters are not covered with respect to radioactivity);
  • the Local Authority duty to inspect its area under Part 2A is modified in respect of radioactivity;
  • radioactive contaminated land, if identified, will be a “special site”.
• The key provisions of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 come into effect on 22nd August, bringing in a range of measures for the promotion of microgeneration and the use of heat produced from renewable sources, allowing energy suppliers to use emissions reductions from microgeneration and other low emission sources or technologies to meet their renewables obligation targets, and strengthening enforcement procedures for building regulations relating to emissions of greenhouse gases and the use of fuel and power.
• 18th August is the closing date for responses to the Better Regulation Executive’s Consultation on the Macrory Review of Regulatory Penalties. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the proposals, which include suggestions for the use of administrative fines and other non-criminal penalties to achieve effective resolution of some cases.