The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is consulting on the appeals process allowing water companies to challenge Ofwat’s decision to revise certain codes that regulate the retail market. Consultation closes 12th December. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/consultation-on-code-appeals-for-the-water-supply/

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is consulting on reducing emissions from medium combustion plants and generators to improve air quality. Consultation closes 8th February 2017.  https://consult.defra.gov.uk/airquality/medium-combustion-plant-and-controls-on-generators/

This consultation seeks views on draft plans to implement the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) and emission controls on generators in order to improve air quality.

The MCPD is a new Directive which introduces cost effective emission controls on new plants from December 2018 and existing plants in 2025 and 2030, depending on size. The Directive must be transposed into UK law by December 2017. DEFRA are particularly interest to hear operators opinions for aspects wherethere are choices around implementation.

DEFRA is consulting on changes to packaging recycling business targets for paper, steel, aluminium, wood and overall recovery and recycling for 2018-20 under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. Consultation closes 6th January 2017. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste/packagingtargets2018-20/

HSE is consulting on a safety strategy for thew quarry industry.  Comments should be sent  by email to Roy Bush on roy.bush@hse.gov.uk by 31 January 2017

Three key aspects are • Reducing cases of occupational lung disease by better control of exposure to respirable crystalline silica • Preventing high-hazard, low-probability events which could harm workers and the public • Maintaining and applying the right levels of competence and leadership

http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/sector-plans/quarries.pdf