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 Polluters Face Tough New Penalties
Tuesday 18th January 2005
Five-year prison terms for directors and unlimited fines could be imposed on companies breaching tough new hazardous waste regulations due to come into force in a few months time.
Mike Cape, Senior Environment Officer with the Environment Agency, told a gathering of over 100 UK print company representatives that ignorance of the regulations would be no defence if an offence was committed.
He was speaking at a seminar organised by Dorset-based print industry waste management specialists J&G Environmental to explain the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
The new regulations will be published in early spring when companies producing, handling, carrying, treating or disposing of hazardous waste will have to comply. The Government propose to fully implement the regulations by July 16 2005.
Mr Cape said the Agency intended to shift its compliance resources from mainly office-based activity to spending more time in the field where it would "not just regulate the good guys."
He set out the Agency's enforcement priorities. Chief amongst these was illegal tipping, but action would also normally be taken where hazardous waste was disposed of at an unlicensed site, was mis-described or mixed with non-hazardous material, where liquid hazardous waste was accepted at a landfill site and for failing to comply with movement and recording requirements.
Dale Wallis, the BPIF's National Health, Safety and Environmental Adviser, told the seminar that print companies could improve environmental performance, prevent pollution and enhance compliance by developing formal environmental management systems.
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For further information please contact:
Steve Armstrong at J&G Environmental. Telephone: 01258 453445.
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