Guidance on new environmental regulations

QUARRYING and mining businesses are at risk of prosecution and fines if they fail to comply with new environmental legislation which is coming into force during 2009.

Many businesses operating in the sector in England and Wales have only a matter of months to make any necessary changes to bring themselves in line with new regulations on waste controls and environmental damage.

However, research from environmental guidance website NetRegs.gov.uk has shown that a significant number of firms, particularly small and medium-sized organizations (SMEs), are unlikely to be aware of the changes.

Richard Martin, programme manager at NetRegs, explained: ‘When asked, 62% of SMEs in the mining and quarrying industry could not identify any piece of environmental legislation unprompted – highlighting poor levels of awareness in the sector.

‘At a time when the Environment Agency (EA) is stepping up its enforcement and businesses are at growing risk of being fined for non-compliance, SMEs simply cannot afford to let these new regulations go unheeded.’

NetRegs.gov.uk is a free environmental guidance website set up by the EA and other UK environmental regulators. SME subscribers can register for free email updates to inform them of regulations well before they come into effect – ensuring that they understand how changing laws apply to them.

During 2009, two new pieces of legislation in particular will have implications for many mining and quarrying businesses: the Waste Controls (England and Wales) Regulation 2009, which comes into effect on 1 October; and the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009, which came into force on 1 March in England only.

‘These regulations are relevant to many mining and quarrying businesses – including those classed as SMEs,’ said Mr Martin. ‘There is a vital need for all businesses to check up on what changes they need to make to comply with the new legislation.’

According to environmental consultants EFTEC, SMEs that register for the free updates are likely to save, on average, over £2,600 per year by reducing the time spent understanding what the legislation means for them and benefiting from advice on compliance.