ALL MVDA
CONCERNS RECOGNIZED IN GOVERNMENT REPORT ON CUTTING RED TAPE IN THE WASTE
INDUSTRY!
As part of the Cutting Red Tape programme, Government ran a
review between July-September 2015 to identify barriers to growth & productivity
in the waste sector.
The review received evidence from over 100 companies &
Trade Associations (including MVDA).
The report from the Cutting Red Tape review of the waste
sector has now been published. It
details the main issues raised by industry & the Government’s response. It can be found here
All of the issues raised by MVDA have been acknowledged in
the report, including problems with permitting, exemptions, EA inspections,
OPRA, TCM/Continuing Competence, & of course illegal operators.
This clearly demonstrates the value of your Trade Association
membership.
The review identified numerous issues with waste regulation,
including:
• Definition of waste: decisions on whether or not materials are
waste or have ceased to be waste are burdensome, costly & time consuming.
• Permitting: the length of time taken to process permit
applications, inconsistency between officials & the use and application of
‘standard rules’
• Exemptions: the requirement for registering exemptions for low-risk
activities creates unnecessary burdens compared to the levels of risk.
• Inspections: some inspections are being undertaken by officials
without the necessary qualifications, experience or training to properly or
accurately carry out an assessment. There is also a perceived lack of a
risk-based approach to compliance visits and inspections.
In response the Government has said:
• Definition of waste: we will amend guidance to revise & clarify
the definition of ‘waste’ & ‘by-products’; the first stage will be
completed by March 2016 with the second stage completed by March 2017.
• Permitting: we will start publishing revised guidance for the
Environmental Permitting Regime from March 2016, working with business across
the sector to investigate the issues & identify root causes of concerns by
April 2016, & put an action plan in place to address issues raised in the
review by August 2016.
• Exemptions: we will complete an assessment of compliance with
exemptions by the end of March 2016 which will inform any subsequent proposal
to review existing exemptions; & work to review & streamline the online
registration system & deliver initial improvements by June 2016.
• Inspections: we will implement a programme to introduce
professional environmental regulator status for staff to ensure inspectors have
a broader understanding & knowledge of the challenges facing the sector by
March 2016 & engage with businesses on reviewing how the Operational Risk
Appraisal system could be improved & further deliver benefits of the
‘earned recognition’ principle by June 2016.
MVDA needs support from existing, lapsed & new members to
be able to continue to fight your corner with Government & get action on
the issues that matter to you.
Click here
to download a membership application form
