- The environment calendar highlights key dates for proposed and existing legislation and policy and closing dates for consultation papers relating to major environment issues in the EU and England.
- It will provide a useful tool for environment managers tracking new legislation for the purpose of implementing an environment management system such as ISO 14001 or EMAS.
- It will also be helpful for those in environment technologies industries seeking new opportunities by highlighting upcoming legislation.
- Key developments and dates this month include:
- The final date for responses and comments on the DTI consultation on the draft regulations and guidance to implement the WEEE Directives, 2002/96/EC and 2003/108/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment is 17 October 2006. The regime is now intended to commence on 1 April 2007 for producers and distributors with responsibility for household WEEE costs to be in effect by 01 July 2007. Key issues raised in the consultation include showing the fee for the cost of recovering "historic" WEEE, producer responsibility registration to be through a registered compliance scheme availability of Designated Collection Facilities.
- The Government is currently asking for comments and views on its Consultation on Options for improving the way planning and pollution control regimes work together from those affected by the regulatory framework and those charged with the implementation. The consultation considers the interface between planning and pollution control work in delivering new development. It is a joint consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the (Defra) because of their complementary responsibilities in this area. The closing date for comments is 6 December 2006.
- The European Commission’s long awaited Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection was released on 22 September 2006. Accompanied by a proposal for a framework directive for the protection of soil. The strategy focusses on actions to preserve soil functions, prevent soil degradation, and mitigate or restore degraded soils. As the proposed actions include some measures aimed at dealing with contaminated land, the need to amend the Environmental Liability Directive to bring it into line with the Soil Framework Directive is noted.
- Defra have recently advised that the delayed consultation on implementation of the ELD is anticipated at some point in the Autumn of 2006 with the second consultation to follow in the Spring of 2007.
To view the latest monthly update of the calendar, click here to view the PDF in a new window.
This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq
Law-Now information is for general purposes and guidance only. The information and opinions expressed in all Law-Now articles are not necessarily comprehensive and do not purport to give professional or legal advice. All Law-Now information relates to circumstances prevailing at the date of its original publication and may not have been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
The original publication date for this article was 05/10/2006.
