The Environment Agency published two new Statutory Rules on March 21st
SR2021 No 11: Small metal recycling facility (less than 5,000 tonnes a year). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sr2021-no-11-small-metal-recycling-facility-less-than-5000-tonnes-a-year/sr2021-no-11-small-metal-recycling-facility-less-than-5000-tonnes-a-year The permit allows a named operator to operate a metal recycling site and permits the sorting, separation, grading, manual feed shearing, baling, compacting, and cutting (using hand-held equipment only) of ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals at a specified location. No more than 5,000 tonnes of metal recycling waste may be accepted at the facility each year.Burning of any wastes, either in the open, inside buildings or in any form of incinerator is not permitted.
SR2021 No 12. Vehicle storage, depollution and dismantling (authorised treatment) facilities. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sr2021-no-12-vehicle-storage-depollution-and-dismantling-authorised-treatment-facility/sr2021-no-12-vehicle-storage-depollution-and-dismantling-authorised-treatment-facility The permit allows the named operator to operate a vehicle storage, depollution and dismantling facility and permits the recovery of all waste motor vehicles at a specified location. No more than 750 tonnes of waste vehicles may be accepted at the facility each year. Burning of any wastes, either in the open, inside buildings or in any form of incinerator is not permitted.
The European Commission announced, on 30th March, a proposal for a new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The proposal builds on the existing Ecodesign Directive, which currently only covers energy-related products. The proposal establishes a framework to set ecodesign requirements for specific product groups (with the exception of food and animal feed) . https://ec.europa.eu/info/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/sustainable-products/ecodesign-sustainable-products_en
From April, HSE inspectors will be visiting business within the woodworking sector, such as sawmilling, manufacture of composite boards and carpentry, as well as other industries where wood dust exposure can occur. Inspectors will be looking for evidence that employers have considered the control measures required to reduce workers exposure to wood dust, that workers understand the risks of exposure to wood dust, and effective control measures have been put in place. https://press.hse.gov.uk/2022/04/01/hse-inspections-target-woodworking-businesses-to-tackle-occupational-lung-disease/
The Environment Agency has issued a Guidance Note (RPS 255) on Treating, storing, and using carbon dioxide from anaerobic digestion. This regulatory position statement (RPS) sets out the Environment Agency’s enforcement position. It’s about carbon dioxide (CO2) that meets food and beverage or industrial grade standards from anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. It applies to AD plants that do not have either this specific activity listed in their current permit or an environmental permit for a waste operation. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/treating-storing-and-using-carbon-dioxide-from-anaerobic-digestion-rps-255