Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 Andrew Sullivan National Operations Waste Unit
Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 The Act does three main things - New Statutory Purpose for SEPA New enforcement powers for SEPA & the courts New integrated permitting framework
Intent The Act will help SEPA to; simplify environmental regulation and make compliance more straightforward, focus on the issues that matter most, work more in partnership with others, deliver more for the environment, communities and the economy.
New Statutory Purpose Protect and improve the environment (Environmental Success) In ways that, as far as possible, create: health & well-being benefits (Social Success) sustainable economic growth (Economic Success)
New Enforcement Measures Strengthened court powers & duties New significant environmental harm offence Improved powers of investigation New measures to tackle lower level offending (rolled out from June 2016); Fixed monetary penalties Enforcement undertakings (voluntary) Variable monetary penalties
Integrated Regulatory Framework Single framework replacing all of the four main regimes (CAR, PPC, RSA & WML) and some minor regimes. A fundamental overhaul of permitting regulations! Common procedures - application, transfer, surrender. Common set of notices (enforcement, suspension etc) Consultation this summer. Existing Permits & Licences transition automatically!
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