Work Programme 2005
In 2005, the Team is focusing primarily on the environmental services, logistics and pharmaceuticals sectors, as described
below, and detailed in the Business
Regulation Team's
Scoping Report 2005 (PDF 315KB).
Environmental services
The Team’s work in the environmental services sector, which formed a major element of the 2004 work programme, is focusing on three main areas: (i) renewable and sustainable energy; (ii) waste management; and (iii) brownfield site remediation. Issues which the Team is addressing in relation to renewable energy include: hydropower; pre-blending of fossil and non-fossil fuels; and the effect of changes in the rating system on renewable energy industries. In the area of waste management, the Team is addressing a range of issues, including the use of used vegetable oils as an alternative ‘green-fuel’ source, and regulations governing waste to energy plants. In the area of brownfield site remediation, the Team is working on a number of issues, in particular the development of a simplified permitting system, and the preparation of soil guideline values for assessing soil purity.
Logistics
In the logistics sector, one of the main issues which the Team is addressing is that of delivery curfews to retail sites. Other issues include: the scope for simplifying the logistics information chain between government agencies and the export/import industry; and options for simplification of the vehicle licensing process.
Pharmaceuticals
The Team is reviewing, with businesses in the pharmaceuticals sector, a number of regulatory issues, with a view to identifying those which offer the greatest scope for efficient and effective remedial action. Two of the main areas which are currently being considered for more detailed investigation are: (i) regulation of animal scientific procedures, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and (ii) regulation of clinical trials, under the Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC), which came into force on 1 May 2004.
Other work
The Team is undertaking certain other work in 2005, including: (i) follow-up work in the construction sector (e.g. on the review of the adjudication and payment provisions of the Construction Act); (ii) follow-up work in the marine industry; (iii) work on three main areas of regulation of the food sector: (a) establishment of an industry-government group on regulation; (b) traceability; (c) disposal of animal by-product waste; and (iv) work to improve the planning/consent processes for wind farms.
Further information is available in the Business
Regulation Team's Scoping Report 2005. (PDF 315KB)
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