Directive 91/676/EEC on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, relates to management of farm wastes and run off to protect surface water and groundwater. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I. No. 101/2009  – European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 which revoke, and re-enact with amendments,...

EN 14214 is a European Standard that describes the requirements and test methods for FAME – the most common type of biodiesel. The technical definition of biodiesel is a fuel suitable for use in compression ignition (diesel) engines that is made of fatty acid monoalkyl esters derived from biologically produced oils or fats including vegetable oils, animal fats and...

PAS 55 is the British Standards Institution’s “Publicly Available Specification” for the optimised management of physical assets and infrastructure – it provides clear definitions and a 28-point requirements specification for optimised and whole-life asset management systems. It is the international reference standard It provides a clear and concise definition of what needs to be done...

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) has released a new tagging tool for online renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate-relevant resources, which aims to make online content more easily searchable and interconnected. When integrated into a website, the tool, an “application programming interface” (API), will automatically scan the content of the site, identify...

On 6th June 2013 the Environmental Protection Agency prosecuted Galway County Council for permitting discharges from the Waste Water Works at Kilronan, Inis Mór, Aran Islands without a certificate of authorisation from the Agency. This was the EPA’s first prosecution for a breach of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations. ECOS Environmental Consultants Limited

Europe can effectively replace oil with renewable energy in transport without resorting to harmful biofuels, according to a new report by Dutch research institute CE Delft, commissioned by environmental groups. The report, Sustainable Alternatives for Land-based Biofuels in the European Union, explores scenarios that recommend a major EU policy shift, prioritising energy efficiency and speeding...

In 2012 it was announced that responsibility for key water related projects, including the metering of domestic water supply, would fall under a new section of Bord Gais Eireann, Irish Water. It is proposed that Irish Water will be statutorily responsible for both investing and operating water services infrastructure in its role as a provider...

Have you ever wondered about the difference between Spring Water, Mineral Water, Sparkling Water and Tap Water. Directive 2003/40/EC established the list, concentration limits and labeling requirements for the constituents of natural mineral waters and the conditions for using ozone-enriched air for the treatment of natural mineral waters and spring waters. The directive was enabled...

An Enterprise Ireland study entitled Environmental Compliance in Irelands Print, Packaging and Labelling Sector has examined the findings of approximately 100 reviews carried out on sixty client companies over the period 1995 to 2011.  The main findings of this study include the following; Wastewater management issues accounted for most non-conformances. The main difficulties arose with the...

The EU executive  organised a stakeholder meeting to determine which types of biodegradable waste can be designated as “products”. Such a definition would allow the waste to be used as fertiliser. Countries’ compliance with the forthcoming EU criteria will be voluntary, but if treated waste does not meet the EU criteria, it can only be...