IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 1 Environmental Legislation Update For the IEMA on 22 March 2006 Katherine Mills

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 2 Introduction Mop-up exercise for legislation Emerging issues/future changes Good practice guidance available Identify topics for future events

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 3 Agenda Topics to be covered (if time!) include Water Resources Climate Change Hazardous Substances Waste - Miscellaneous Green Procurement (Guidance)

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 4 Water Resources Water Act 2003 Aims to promote the sustainable use of water resources and water conservation Includes amendments to the Water Resources Act: –Contaminated Land (definition amended to ‘significant’ pollution) –‘Controlled waters’ (groundwater) definition clarified (excludes groundwater in the unsaturated zone) –Discharge Consents (consent holder transfer measures) –Abstraction Licensing abstraction of < 20m 3 /day is exempt from April 2006 an abstraction licence WILL be required for site dewatering provisions for emergency abstraction to prevent immediate risk to human beings, damage to works, or to the environment

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 5 Climate Change (Building Regs) Building Regulations Part L (from 6 April 2006) Enact EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Part L2A applies to new buildings and includes a whole building carbon emissions target Also applies to existing buildings where works are carried out. Minimum performance levels must be met for new boilers, air conditioning, lighting etc The energy performance of new buildings will need to be about 23-28% better than the original Part L

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 6 Climate Change (Building Regs) Some of the requirements and practical implications: Working with the supply chain to ensure carbon reduction is a key component of any project Designers to produce an energy (or asset) rating showing the performance of building fabric and efficiency of services equipment Designers of large new developments will need to consider Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies, incl. CHP and renewable energy An air tightness test in new buildings A building energy log book, and appropriate metering strategy, so the building operator can track energy usage and performance BRE energy performance management software A tool called SBEM can be found online at:

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 7 Climate Change (Energy Efficiency) Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) –for Water/Energy Saving Plant and Machinery –scheme introduced in 2003 for 100% first-year allowances to encourage investment in water or energy conservation technology –Water and Energy Technology Criteria and Product Lists updated in 2005 to increase range of items that qualify for allowances

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 8 Hazardous Substances (Oil) Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001 (from 1 st Sept 2005) Set strict standards for oil storage facilities to prevent oil pollution of controlled waters Secondary containment and other physical controls e.g. overfill/automatic shut-off/non-return valves Covers all domestic tanks over 3,500L and most commercial and public premises See guidance at Environment Agency’s Netregs site (

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 9 Hazardous Substances (REACH) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of CHemicals –Encourage replacement of hazardous chemicals with safer ones and spur more R&D into new products –Registration of chemicals produced/imported in quantities >1 tonne p.a. (incl. naturally occurring substances e.g. iron ore) –Potential impact on humans and the environment to be evaluated –‘Chemicals of high concern’ (up to ~1,500 substances): Cause cancer, mutation or interfere with reproductive function; Take a long time to break down, accumulate in the body and are toxic; Take a very long time to break down and accumulate in the body; Have serious, irreversible effects on humans and the environment, e.g. disturbance of hormone systems.

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 10 Waste - Miscellaneous (1) Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 Repeals/extends EPA litter controls and offences (£2.5k to £20k) Fly tipping penalties (£50k, 5 yrs) and landowner cost recovery Artificial light and insects – statutory nuisances Audible intruder alarms – key holder required Provides for regulations requiring construction site waste management plans

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 11 Waste - Miscellaneous (2) Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations Paper Glass Aluminium Steel Plastic Wood Overall recovery Min amt of recovery through recycling 92%

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 12 Green Procurement BRE Green Guides to Specification Now cover health, educational and retail premises – TransportEnergy (part of Energy Saving Trust) Best practice guide to greening your fleet – Public sector Timber Procurement Helpline To assist in purchase of sustainable timber –Operated by ProForest

IEMA Yorkshire & Humber Region 13 Summary Any questions Topics for future sessions? Feedback forms Presentations available on the website