Scottish nitrate regs amended

Changes have been made to regulations governing Scottish Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), including a requirement for additional recording on the use of phosphates.

The full changes can be seen here.

NI magistrates given more powers to tackle pollution

Magistrates in Northern Ireland have been granted a wider range of fines to impose on those convicted of polluting groundwater in the country.

For details on the changes see the Groundwater (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.

Northern Ireland tightens controls on hazardous substances

Northern Ireland has added more substances to the list of dangerous materials whose use or storage requires official consent.

It has also reduced the volumes at which these consents must be sought.

To see how the Planning (Control of Major-Accident Hazards) Regulations Northern Ireland have changed, click here.

UK tidies up WEEE reporting rules

An amendment has been made to the UK’s Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) regulations regarding the frequency at which producers must report progress.

The full details can be found here.

Nitrate manure rules relaxed

The Nitrate Pollution Prevention regs have been altered to allow farmers to apply for a relaxation of the rules on applying organic manure to land.

The full amendments can be seen here.

Water rules will help stem damage to ecosystems

Amendments to the Water Resources Act allow for extensions to the user of Water Protection Zones and Works Notices.

To find out how you might be affected, see the amendments in full here.

WEEE regs streamlined

Amendments aimed at reducing the administrative burden of the Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) regulations are now in effect in the UK.

The changes also affect registration of Producer Compliance Schemes.

Full details can be found here.

Revised EU ozone regs come into force

European legislation covering the use of ozone depleting substance has seen substantial amendments

To see if you are affected, see the amended regulations.

Courts rule on insurers’ fight against Scottish asbestos law

Insurance companies that called for a judicial review challenging the legality of new Scottish rules which allow sufferers of asbestos-related ailments to sue their employers have been informed of the outcome.

The insurance companies claimed the rules, which allow for retrospective claims, put an unfair burden on them.

The judge’s opinion can be seen here

Europe looks at labelling tyres for fuel efficiency

The European Commission has published its plans for legal requirements for mandatory labelling of tyres to show how they would impact on fuel efficiency.

Full details of the regulations can be found here.

Wales promotes cleaner fireplaces

The Welsh Assembly has published a list of wood burning stoves and other domestic fireplaces that are exempt from legal restrictions on the burning of solid fuels in the home in an attempt to improve air quality.

The full details of the statutory instrument can be found here.

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