The HSE is consulting on revisions to the Approved List of biological agents. Consultation closes 31st December. The Approved List of Biological Agents classifies biological agents hazardous to humans into hazard groups (HG). The Approved List had its last significant revision in 2013. Aspects under consideration:
the classification and addition to the list of previously unlisted pathogens; challenges to the hazard group classification for existing pathogens; changes to pathogen names and taxonomy since 2013; suggestions to improve the style and structure of the list.Comments to be sent to lee.wilson@hse.gov.uk
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Scottish Government are consulting on the introduction of civil penalties in England, Scotland and the marine areas for infringements of the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations.
These measures are being considered to address concerns about whether the current penalty system provides sufficient deterrence against non-compliance. Consultation closes 24th November. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/fluorinated-greenhouse-gases-f-gas-regulations/
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is consulting on amending the English and Welsh regulations on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs). Consultation closes 29th December. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/plant-and-animal-health/tseconsultation/. TSEs are a family of diseases which include Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep and goats. The changes would:
bring UK law regarding controls on feeding animal protein and handling of Specified Risk Material into line with EU regulations update scrapie compensation rates paid to farmers for sheep and goats transfer the cost of sampling fallen cattle, which require testing for BSE, to the farming industry make other minor amendmentsThese changes would apply to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (England) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/801) and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Wales) Regulations 2008 (WSI 2008/3154)
Department for Communities and Local Government is reviewing the effectiveness of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1693). Consultation closes 9th January 2018. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-regulations-2015. This consultation invites views and comments to gather evidence on the effectiveness of the regulations to date. It does not indicate any intention to change the regulations.