29th September 2016

EU carrying out evaluation of two directives

The European Commission is carrying out public consultations on the evaluation of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8931 and the Lifts Directive 95/16/EC http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8930

Both consultations close on 16th December.

4th October 2016

DEFRA consultation on Local Authority environmental permitting fees.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is conducting a review of Local Authority (LA) environmental permitting fees and charges for regulation of industrial plant in England.  Consultation closes 3rd November. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/industrial-pollution-control/la-epr-fees-charges

LAs regulate certain industrial facilities providing permits which set conditions to control, minimise or avoid local pollution and which set emission limits for certain activities. There are charges for granting or in certain cases for varying a permit and annual substance fees levied by LAs on permitted operators. The fees and charges levied reflect the cost of regulating activity required for the facility.

The aim of the review is to see if:

the level of fees and charges are set at the correct level there are ways to reduce burdens for LA regulators and/or for industry there are ways to streamline administrative processes within Government to reduce the burden on the tax payer.
7th October 2016

EU evaluation of Aerosols Directive

The European Commission is carrying out a public consultation on the evaluation of the Aerosol Dispersers Directive (75/324/EEC). http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8941 Consultation closes on 15th January 2017.

10th October 2016

DEFRA consultation on updating of the marketing of fruit plant and propagating material regulations

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is consulting on the updating of the marketing of fruit plant and propagating material regulations. Consultation closes 25th November. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/updating-the-marketing-of-fruit-plant-and-propagating-material-regulations . DEFRA plan to introduce a statutory certification scheme for fruit propagating material by adapting the existing voluntary scheme.