REACH – Prior approval system to use chemicals starts February 2013
The use and marketing of certain dangerous chemicals will (for the first time) be subject to the first elements of a prior approval system as early as February 2013. This system known as Authorisation under REACH requires companies using listed chemicals to apply to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in order to continue to use...
READ ARTICLE >Priority Substances Directive – Surface Waters
2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council The directive is implemented by S.I. No. 272/2009 – European Communities Environmental...
READ ARTICLE >Questions Businesses Must Answer to Advance Toward Sustainability
The following questions can test any business’ approach to becoming a sustainable organization: How can we increase use of recycled and bio-based materials? Evaluating material alternatives through compatibility and footprint analysis is one of the best ways to help answer this question. How can we prevent our products from ending up in landfill? Understand the...
READ ARTICLE >Integrated Pollution Control Licence (IPC Licence – Formerly IPPC Licence)
What is an IPC Licence The EPA Act 1992 (as amended) sets out the activities for which an Integrated Pollution Control or IPC Licence is required. An IPC Licence is a singular licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An IPC licence addresses all activities undertaken on site which may impact on the environment...
READ ARTICLE >Public consultation process for EPA Strategy
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is seeking the views of the public on how the Agency should prioritise activities over the next number of years to protect and improve Ireland’s environment. The public consultation process offers interested parties the opportunity to submit suggestions on the EPA’s fourth formal strategy before publication...
READ ARTICLE >Update for the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive
The European Commission has outlined its plans to change EU legislation on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) – to replace Directive 2011/92/EU. EU figures show that there, on average, are up to 26,000 EIAs across the bloc each year, and that the duration of the process is generally more than 11 months. There is mounting concern among...
READ ARTICLE >Effective Business Tools to Sustainably Manage Water
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Sustainability released Water for Business. Specifically designed for businesses Identifies the water tools and initiatives most suitable for the needs businesses. Outlines the benefits of the different tools available Illustrates how a combination of complementary tools can...
READ ARTICLE >EU Commissioners U-Turn on Crop-based biofuels
The European Commission has confirmed it will limit the amount of crop-based biofuels used in transport in what amounts to a major U-turn on its previous policy. The EU’s target of producing 10 per cent of transport energy from renewable sources by the end of the decade was likely to be met primarily through biofuels...
READ ARTICLE >Water bills could quadruple for Irish businesses
The price of water would quadruple in Ireland if European trends are applied, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it is therefore crucial that businesses tackle water efficiency. The average cost of cold water was €2 per cubic meter in Ireland. However, in countries like Germany this cost was as high as €8...
READ ARTICLE >Plans to modernise funding model for Scotland’s environmental protection
Options for modernising the funding of environmental protection and improvement in Scotland were outlined in a new consultation launched on 11 October 2012. The key reason presented for changing the way SEPA is funded is to help maximise the benefits of the better environmental regulation approach. The consultation from SEPA and the Scottish Government looks...
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