Fairer and Better Environmental Enforcement Project
Questions
What environmental legislation will this project apply to?
The environmental enforcement review indicated that the changes could be productively applied to most environmental regulation. We aim to address widely experienced problems with common solutions. This should lead to a more coherent approach and greater transparency and consistency in the environmental enforcement system.
We need to carry out a precise mapping exercise of environmental offences and enforcement provisions, we will do that in consultation with stakeholders during the second part of 2007. This will help us to identify any areas where the proposed changes would not be suitable.
What will the project deliver and when?
The project will 1) by spring 2008 aim to make recommendations to Ministers for more effective, more proportionate and fairer environmental enforcement, reflecting the outcome of full public consultation, and supported by impact assessment; and 2) from 2008/09 onwards, provide for implementation of agreed improvements through legislation and regulator policy and practice, again supported by public consultation.
Will this cost businesses more money?
The project aims for an environmental enforcement system that is more transparent, proportionate, effective and responsive. It will be fairer to business because:
- Enforcement will be more proportionate;
- A responsible majority of businesses and other operators could be taken out of the criminal system, generally being subject to new administrative sanctions when they fail significantly in their efforts to prevent or control risk;
- Enforcement will promote fair competition for the responsible majority of businesses - polluters should routinely pay the full costs and gains from non-compliance, and be punished for serious culpability, where it exists.
- The costs to business and others and benefits of options being considered will be thoroughly assessed in the course of the project.
Page published: 4 July 2007