Year      Month

Legislation

31 Mar 2015

EU 2015/463. Commission Implementing Regulation amending Annex to Regulation (EU) 231/2012 with regard to specifications for polyvinyl alcohol (E 1203) as a food additive. Comes into force 7th April.


30 Mar 2015

SI 2015/799. The Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) Order 2015. Comes into force on 1st April 2016

This Order is made under section 42(1)(a)(iii) of the Energy Act 2011.


30 Mar 2015

SI 2015/934. The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 15th June.

These Regulations correct an error in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/675) relating to the application of the exemption to installations in paragraph 11 of Schedule 8A.


30 Mar 2015

SI 2015/962. The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. Parts 1 and 2 come into force on 1st April 2016 and Part 3 comes into force on 1st October 2016.

These Regulations introduce measures to improve the energy efficiency of certain private rented property in England and Wales.


30 Mar 2015

SI 2015/981. The Contracts for Difference (Allocation) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Came into force on 26th March

These Regulations are made further to the powers contained in the Energy Act 2013. They make amendments to the Contracts for Difference (Allocation) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/2011).


30 Mar 2015

The Household Waste (Fixed Penalty and Penalty Charge) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 15th June.


30 Mar 2015

SI 2015/920. The Renewables Obligation Closure (Amendment) Order 2015. Came into force 23rd March.

This Order amends the Renewables Obligation Closure Order 2014 (SI 2014/2388).


30 Mar 2015

SR 2015/182. The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 1st April.

These Regulations amend the planning provisions in the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations (NI) 1995 (SR 1995/380) to ensure they will operate fully and effectively when councils assume their new “competent authority” planning role.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/880. The Energy Act 2011 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2015. This order brings into force the provisions of the Act specified in the Schedule. Came into force on 26th March.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/933. The Emissions Performance Standard Regulations 2015. Came into force 25th March.

These regulations apply the emissions limit duty to upgrades or alterations to generating units of existing fossil fuel plants, modify the emissions limit where particular conditions apply during a year, make provision for associated gasification plant and exempt from the emissions limit duty generating units with a complete CCS (carbon capture and storage) system.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/949. The Infrastructure Planning (Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal Facilities) Order 2015. Came into force 27th March

This Order amends section 14(1) of the 2008 Act to extend the categories of infrastructure project which are nationally significant by adding development relating to radioactive waste geological disposal facilities.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/973. The Local Authorities (Prohibition of Charging Residents to Deposit Household Waste) Order 2015. Comes into force 23rd April.

This Order prohibits local authorities in England charging residents to deposit their household waste at a place which has been provided for deposition of such waste.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/846. The Landfill Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations amend the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/1527) with reference to fines which fail the LOI test provided for in the Landfill Tax (Qualifying Fines) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/845).


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/845. The Landfill Tax (Qualifying Fines) Order 2015. Comes into force 1st April.

This Order sets out the requirements of qualifying fines, and conditions that fines must satisfy in order to be treated as qualifying fines pursuant to sections 42(3A) and 63A(2) of the Finance Act 1996.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/947. The Climate Change Levy (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April.

These Regulations amend the Climate Change Levy (General) Regulations 2001 (S. 2001/838) to provide the formula for calculating the quantity of carbon price support rate commodities used to generate electricity in a combined heat and power station that are subject to the carbon price support rates of climate change levy.


27 Mar 2015

SSI 2015/151. The Scottish Landfill Tax (Exemption Certificates) Order 2015. Comes into force 1st April.

Revenue Scotland may issue exemption certificates to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish local authorities and other bodies where they remove from an authorised landfill site illegally or improperly deposited waste.


27 Mar 2015

SSI 2015/152. The Scottish Landfill Tax (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations amend the Scottish Landfill Tax (Administration) Regulations 2015. (SSI 2015/3).

Regulations 10 and 11 make provision for the purposes of the Scottish landfill tax in relation to weigh bridges for weighing material intended for landfill.


27 Mar 2015

SI 2015/ 966. The Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2015. Comes into force 20th April.

These Regulations make provision that supplements amendments made to the Poisons Act 1972.


27 Mar 2015

SR 2015/177. The Planning (Conservation Areas) (Consultation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 15th April.


26 Mar 2015

EU 2015/417. Commission Implementing Regulation approving Bacillus sphaericus 2362 serotype H5a5b, strain ABTS1743 as an active substance for use in biocidal products for product-type 18. Comes into force 2nd April.


26 Mar 2015

EU 2015/419. Commission Implementing Regulation approving tolylfluanid as an active substance for use in biocidal products for product-type 21. Comes into force 2nd April.


26 Mar 2015

SI 2015/823. The Antarctic Act 1994 (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Order 2015. Comes into force 30th July.

This Order modifies the Antarctic Act 1994 (Overseas Territories) Order 1995 in order to implement the amendments made to the Antarctic Act 1994 by the Antarctic Act 2013. Part II of the Antarctic Act 2013 made a number of minor changes to the permit regime set out in the Antarctic Act 1994.

The changes bring non-UK nationals on British expeditions into the scope of the permit regime; allows the UK to permit conservation work on historic sites and monuments in Antarctica; and creates new offences of introducing non-sterile soil or microscopic organisms into Antarctica, damaging native invertebrates, or having an animal on board a vessel (except recognised assistance dogs or if the vessel is only transiting Antarctic waters).


26 Mar 2015

SI 2015/918. The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Came into force 21st March.

These Regulations amend the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/675) to transpose sections of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency which, with the aim of increasing energy efficiency, require cost-benefit analysis to be carried out to assess the installation of cogeneration or the utilisation of waste heat from energy producing installations.


25 Mar 2015

SI 2015/596. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. Coming into force 15th April

This instrument consolidates with amendments, in relation to England, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (SI 1995/ 418) and subsequent amending instruments and revokes twenty-three Sis.

The main purpose of this Order is to grant planning permission for certain classes of development without the requirement for a planning application to be made under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act


25 Mar 2015

SI 2015/776. The Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015. Comes into force 5th October.

This requires sellers to charge a minimum of 5 pence (including any VAT) for each Single Use Carrier Bag (SUCB).


25 Mar 2015

SI 2015/875. The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Came into force 23rd March

They amend in various respects the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/2043).


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/810. The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 19th July.

These Regulations revoke and replace the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/153) and amendments. The Regulations continue to implement Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage.


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/816. The Pollution Prevention and Control (Designation of Energy Efficiency Directive) (England and Wales) Order 2015. Came into force 20th March.

This Order designates the Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive 2012/27/EU) as a relevant directive for the purposes of paragraph 20(2) of Schedule 1 to the Pollution Prevention and Control Act.


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/817. The Energy Act 2013 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2015. Sections 119 to 130 and Schedule 13. Comes into force on 30th April.


24 Mar 2015

• EU 2015/414 amending Directive 2002/46/EC • EU 2015/415 and 418 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 • EU 2015/416. Commission Implementing Regulation approving dinotefuran as an active substance Comes into force 2nd April


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/598. The Town and Country Planning (Compensation) (England) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 15th April.

These Regulations amend and consolidate the Town and Country Planning (Compensation) (England) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/1102) and revoke those Regulations and the Town and Country Planning (Compensation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/565).


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/597. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Order 2015. Comes into force 15th April.

This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (SI 1987/764).

Use as a betting office and a pay day loan shop are excluded from the specified classes.


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/595. The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015. Comes into force 15th April.

This Order, in relation to England, consolidates with amendments provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010 (SI 2010/2184).


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/627. The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st June.

These Regulations implement the land-use planning obligations (articles 13 and 15) in Directive 2012/18/EU on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (the “Seveso III Directive”).

The non-planning aspects of the Seveso III Directive are implemented through The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/483).


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/797. The Town and Country Planning (Section 62A Applications) (Procedure and Consequential Amendments) (Amendment) Order 2015. Comes into force 15th April

This Order amends the publicity requirements set out in the Town and Country Order 2013 (SI 2013/2140).


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/809. The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2015. These Regulations amend, in relation to England, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990/1519). Comes into force 15th April

These Regulations amend, in relation to England, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990/1519).

Regulation 2 reduces the requirement for a local authority to notify Historic England (the name used by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England) of an application for planning permission which they think would affect the setting of a listed building or the character or appearance of a conservation area.


24 Mar 2015

SI 2015/807. The Town and Country Planning General (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 15th April

These Regulations amend, in relation to England, regulation 4A of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/1492).

They narrow the requirement for an interested planning authority to refer to the Secretary of State for determination any applications for planning permission which they make which relate solely to the demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area.


23 Mar 2015

SI 2015/787. The Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits)(England and Scotland) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st July.

These Regulations implement Directive 96/22/EC on the prohibition on the use in stock farming of certain substances and Directive 96/23/EC on measures to monitor those substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products.

The Regulations also revoke seven regulations (viz. SI 1997/1729, SI 2001/3590, SI 2004/147, SI 2006/755, SI 2009/1925, SI 2012/2897 and SI 2013/804).


23 Mar 2015

SI 2015/773. The Water Act 2014 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2015. Comes into force 6th April (Article 2) and 1st September (Article 3).


23 Mar 2015

SI 2015/775. The Carbon Accounting (2013–2017 Budgetary Period) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 24th March.

The Regulations set out the circumstances in which carbon units are to be credited to and debited from the net UK carbon account as a result of the operation of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS) and to take into account domestic aviation emissions.


23 Mar 2015

SI 2015/385. The Offshore Petroleum Licensing (Offshore Safety Directive) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 19th July.

These Regulations, along with previously published regulations, implement Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations.

Regulation 4 requires that only those who have been appointed as operators may carry out offshore petroleum operations under a licence.


23 Mar 2015

SI 2015/386. The Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 19th July.

These Regulations, make amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1056) for the purpose of implementing the environmental requirements of Articles 14 and 28 of Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations.


23 Mar 2015

SI 2015/398. The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 19th July

These Regulations replace, in relation to British external waters, the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3117) covering the provision for the preparation of safety cases for offshore installations and the notification of specified activities to the competent authority.

These regulations also amend: a) The Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989( SI 1989/971) b) The Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/1671) c) The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/738) d) The Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/743). e) The Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/913). f) The Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3117). g) The Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/363). h) The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/1471) These regulations also revoke the whole or parts of twelve Sis (viz. SI 1972/1542, SI 1973/1842. SI 1977/835, SI 1982/1513, SI 1987/1331, SI 1989/1671, SI 1993/1823, SI 1995/738, SI 1995/743, SI 1996/913, SI 2002/2175, SI 2005/3117 and SI 2015/363.


20 Mar 2015

EU 2015/408. Commission Implementing Regulation implementing Article 80(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and establishing a list of candidates for substitution. Comes into force on 31st March

This regulation identifies seventy-seven active substances as candidates for substitiution


20 Mar 2015

SI 2015/766. The Petroleum Licensing (Applications) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 30th June

These Regulations consolidate with amendments the Petroleum (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988/1213) and the Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/1436) (except for those parts concerning the model clauses for methane drainage licences).

The Regulations set out the requirements for applications for the following kinds of licences: a) a landward petroleum exploration licence, b) a seaward petroleum exploration licence, c) a methane drainage licence, d) a petroleum exploration and development licence, and e) a seaward area production licence,


19 Mar 2015

SI 2015/741. The Plant Health (Forestry) (Miscellaneous Revocations) (England) Order 2015. This Order revokes three statutory instruments. Comes into force 1st July

The following Orders are revoked— (a)the Watermark Disease (Local Authorities) Order 1974(SI 1974/768); (b)the Increase of Fines (Plant Health) (Forestry) Order 1984(SI 1984/688); and (c)the Watermark Disease (Local Authorities) (Amendment) Order 1992(SI 1992/44).


19 Mar 2015

• EU 2015/404. Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances beflubutamid, captan, dimethoate, dimethomorph, ethoprophos, fipronil, folpet, formetanate, glufosinate, methiocarb, metribuzin, phosmet, pirimiphos-methyl and propamocarb. Comes into force 31st March

• EU 2015/405. Commission Implementing Regulation approving alpha-cypermethrin as an active substance for use in biocidal products for product-type 18. Comes into force 31st March.

• EU 2015/406. Commission Implementing Regulation approving Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis serotype H14, strain SA3A as an active substance for use in biocidal products for product-type 18. Comes into force 31st March.


18 Mar 2015

SI 2015/718. The Electricity Market Reform (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. These Regulations amend the Electricity Market Reform (General) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/2013). Came into force 14th March.


18 Mar 2015

SI 2015/721. The Electricity Supplier Obligations (Amendment & Excluded Electricity) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April.


18 Mar 2015

SI 2015/744. The Landfill Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April.

These Regulations amend regulation 31(3) of the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996.

These Regulations vary the maximum amount of credit which a landfill site operator may claim; from 5.1% of its landfill tax liability in a contribution year to 5.7%.The changes made by these Regulations have effect in respect of contribution years beginning on or after 1st April 2015.


17 Mar 2015

SR 2015/148. The Zoonoses (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. These Regulations amend the Zoonoses (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (SR 2011/71). Comes into force 1st April.


16 Mar 2015

SI 2015/668. The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015. These Regulations consolidate, with minor corrections and drafting changes, six previous Regulations, all of which are revoked. Comes into force on 1st of May.

The revoked regulations are; (a)the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008; (b)the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Amendment) Regulations 2009; (c)regulation 10 of the Environmental Civil Sanctions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2010; (d)the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Amendment) Regulations 2012; (e)regulations 2 to 25 of the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Amendment) and Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013; (f)the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Designation and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013.


13 Mar 2015

SI 2015/663. The Water, Animals, Marine Pollution and Environmental Protection (Miscellaneous Revocations) Order 2015. This Order revokes five instruments which are spent or otherwise superseded. Comes into force 1st July

The Orders revoked are— 1) The Water and Sewerage (Conservation, Access and Recreation) (Code of Practice) Order 1989(8) is revoked, so far as it applies in relation to the Environment Agency and to water undertakers and sewerage undertakers whose area of appointment is wholly or mainly in England. 2)The Sheep and Goats Spongiform Encephalopathy (England and Wales) (Compensation) (Amendment) Order 2001. 3)The Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2004. 4) The Deposits in the Sea (Exemptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2010. 5) The Code of Practice on Environmental Procedures for Flood Defence Operating Authorities (Environment Agency and Natural Resources Body for Wales) Approval Order 1996


13 Mar 2015

SSI 2015/109. The Landfill Tax (Scotland) Act 2014 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2015. Comes into force 1st April

This Order brings the Landfill Tax (Scotland) Act 2014 into force (so far as it is not already in force).


12 Mar 2015

SI 2015/609. The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. These Regulations amend the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012. (SI 2012/3118). Comes into force 6th April.


12 Mar 2015

SI 2015/639. The Environment and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations revoke eleven regulations including The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/3359).


12 Mar 2015

SI 2015/659. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2015. Comes into force 6th April.

This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (SI 1995/418).


12 Mar 2015

SI 2015/660. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. These Regulations amend the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1824). Comes into force 6th April.

These Regulations raise and amend the thresholds at which certain types of development project will need to be screened in order to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required.

The threshold for industrial estate development projects is raised from areas exceeding 0.5 hectares to areas exceeding five hectares. In the case of urban development projects, the existing threshold of 0.5 hectares is raised and amended such that a project will need to be screened if the development includes more than one hectare of development which is not dwelling house development, the development includes more than one hundred and fifty dwelling houses or the area of the development exceeds five hectares.


11 Mar 2015

SI 2015/610. The Plant Health (England) Order 2015. This Order replaces the Plant Health (England) Order 2005 (SI 2005/2530) and the Plant Health (England) (Phytophthora ramorum) Order 2004 (SI 2004/2590). Comes into force 1st July


10 Mar 2015

SI 2015/584. The Animal Health (Miscellaneous Revocations) (England and Wales) Order 2015. This Order revokes six instruments related to warble fly and two related to foot-and-mouth disease which are spent or otherwise superseded. Comes into force 1st April

The following Orders are revoked— (a)the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Order of 1925; (b)the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Packing Materials)(Amendment) Order of 1926; (c)the Warble Fly (England and Wales) Order 1982; (d)the Warble Fly (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 1985; (e)the Warble Fly (England and Wales) (Infected Areas) Order 1985; (f)the Warble Fly (Ascertainment of Infestation) (England and Wales) Order 1985; (g)the Warble Fly (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 1987; (h)the Warble Fly (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 1989.


10 Mar 2015

EU 2015/326. Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/326 amends Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates. Comes into force 22nd March

A new standard method has been adopted and published by CEN as EN 16143:2013 (Petroleum products — Determination of content of Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in extender oils

The Commission considers that, given that this new standard provides a specific analytical method to analyse the relevant PAHs in extender oils and overcomes the shortcomings of the previous method, it is appropriate to replace the citation of method IP 346:1998 by the new standard EN 16143:2013 as the reference method to determine compliance of extender oils with the restriction in paragraph 1 of column 2 of entry 50 of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.


10 Mar 2015

SR 2015/85. The Planning (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 1st April

The Regulations replace the Planning (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (SR 2010/64) to take account of the role of district councils as local planning authorities and also for revisions to the EC Directives since SR 2010/64 came into force.


10 Mar 2015

SI 2015/614. The Energy Act 2013 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2015. Brings into force Section 150 of the Energy Act 2013 (smoke and carbon monoxide alarms). Came into force 10th March.


09 Mar 2015

SI 2015/534. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Amendment) Order 2015. This Order amends the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2007 (SI 2007/3072). Comes into force 15th April

Article 3 amends the definition of “notional volume” in SI 2007/3072 so fractions of a litre, are to be rounded up or down to the nearest whole litre.

Articles 4(1) and (2) and 5(1) and (2) amend articles 4 and 5 of the SI 2007/3072. Where hydrotreated vegetable oil derives in part from hydrogen from a non-biological source, that portion is nevertheless deemed to be wholly derived from renewable feedstocks for the purposes of calculating notional volume.


09 Mar 2015

EU 2015/282. Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/282. amends Annexes VIII, IX and X to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards the Extended One-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Study. Comes into force 10th March


09 Mar 2015

SI 2015/508. The Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 6th April

The Regulations give effect to the requirement to carry out surveys and the issue of certificates contained in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974. They revoke the Merchant Shipping (Survey and Certification) Regulations 1995.


09 Mar 2015

SI 2015/483. The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st June .

These regulations replace The COMAH Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/743) and amending regulations.

Although many duties are familiar from the 1999 Regulations, the 2015 Regulations contain some new or changed duties including; (a) The list of substances covered by the Regulations has been updated and aligned to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (the CLP Regulation); (b) Some definitions have been changed; (c) There are transition arrangements for safety reports; (d) For emergency planning, there is a new requirement for co-operation by designated authorities in tests of the external emergency plan; (e) There are stronger requirements for public information including a duty for lower tier establishments to provide public information. There are provisions for electronic access to up to-date public information; (f) The domino effects duty is broader; (g) Stronger requirements for the competent authority on inspection; (h) Local authorities must now inform people likely to be affected, following a major accident.


06 Mar 2015

SR 2015/72. The Planning (General Development Procedure) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 1st April

This Order revokes the Planning (General Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 (SR 1993/ 15) and subsequent amendment orders.

The main purpose of this Order is to permit the management of development within a new two tier planning system with both councils and the Department operating as planning authorities where appropriate.


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/426. The Control of Waste (Dealing with Seized Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 6th April

These Regulations describe how property seized under Section 5 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 or Section 34B of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 must be dealt with.


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/469. The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force on 1st July. Regulations 2(3) and 3 come into force on 1st January 2016

These Regulations amend the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/2617) and the Energy Information Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1524).


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/477. The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015. Came into force 4th March

Regulation 42 as substituted in the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/2860) contained an error.


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/479. The Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes (England and Wales) Order 2015. Comes into force 1st April.

This Order consolidates the entries in section 153(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, removes entries that are no longer relevant and adds at the end of the list the revised name for what is now “Keep Britain Tidy”.


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/500. The Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations amend the Schedule to the Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1963).


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/503. The Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations amend the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988/668).


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/524. The Surface Waters and Water Resources (Miscellaneous Revocations) Regulations 2015. These Regulations revoke ten instruments on surface waters and water resources that are spent or otherwise superseded. Comes into force 6th April

The following Regulations are revoked— (a)the Water Resources (Succession to Licences) Regulations 1969(4); (b)the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1989(5); (c)the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1992(6); (d)the Surface Waters (River Ecosystem) (Classification) Regulations 1994(7); (e)the Surface Waters (Abstraction for Drinking Water) (Classification) Regulations 1996(8); (f)the Surface Waters (Fishlife) (Classification) Regulations 1997(9); (g)the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1997(10); (h)the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1998(11); (i)the Surface Waters (Fishlife) (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations 2003(12); and (j)the Surface Waters (Fishlife) (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations 2009(13).


06 Mar 2015

SI 2015/550. The Hydrocarbon Oil and Biofuels (Road Fuel in Defined Areas) (Reliefs) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations extend the fuel duty relief scheme to more defined areas.

The Inner and Outer Hebrides The Northern Isles The Islands of the Clyde The Isles of Scilly The geographical area covered by the post town of Hawes, North Yorkshire (as at the 3rd March 2015) The geographical areas covered by the following postcode districts in England (as at the 3rd March 2015)— EX35 LA17 NE48 The geographical areas covered by the following postcode districts in Scotland (as at the 3rd March 2015)— IV14 IV21 IV22 IV26 IV27 IV54 KW12


05 Mar 2015

SR 2015/84. The Planning (Trees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations replace the Planning (Trees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.


05 Mar 2015

SSI 2015/103. The Alien and Locally Absent Species in Aquaculture (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 3rd April.


05 Mar 2015

SI 2015/255. The Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 6th April

These Regulations implement EU Regulations on feed safety, genetically modified feed, feed additives, the marketing and use of feed, undesirable substances (contaminants) in feed and feed for particular nutritional purposes.


05 Mar 2015

SI 2015/454. The Animal Feed (Hygiene, Sampling etc. and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 6th April

These Regulations implement Regulation (EC) 183/2005, which requires businesses producing, trading in or using animal feed should, with certain exemptions, be either registered or approved by the competent authorities.


05 Mar 2015

SI 2015/446. The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 27th March.

These Regulations amend the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1518).


04 Mar 2015

SSI 2015/101. The Waste (Recyclate Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations amend the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/228) and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/360).


04 Mar 2015

SR 2015/107. The Planning (Conservation Areas) (Demolition) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations up-date and replace the Planning (Conservation Areas) (Demolition) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1988.

They provide the necessary procedures for the obtaining of conservation area consent for the demolition in a conservation area of a building which is neither a listed building nor an ecclesiastical building nor a building guarded, protected or scheduled under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.


04 Mar 2015

SR 2015/108. The Planning (Listed Buildings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Comes into force 1st April

These Regulations made under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 up-date and replace the Planning (Listed Buildings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992.


03 Mar 2015

SR 2015/73. The Planning (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Coming into force 1st April

These Regulations prescribe the fee payable in respect of applications made under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.


03 Mar 2015

SR 2015/74. The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Coming into force 1st April

These Regulations revoke and replace the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (SR 2012/59).


03 Mar 2015

SI 2015/441. The Salmon and Migratory Trout (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing) (England) Order 2015. Coming into force 25th March.

Fishing for salmon or migratory trout is prohibited, with certain exclusions, within (a) the North-East Atlantic waters and (b) the exclusive economic zone from the boundary of the Scottish zone in the east in a clockwise direction around the English coastline to the boundary of the Scottish zone in the west.


03 Mar 2015

SI 2015/430. The Ship Recycling Facilities Regulations 2015. Coming into force 26th March.

These Regulations implement certain aspects of Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 on ship recycling.


02 Mar 2015

SI 2015/363. The Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2015. Coming into force 6th April

These Regulations revoke and replace the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1652)


02 Mar 2015

SI 2015/407. The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2015. Coming into force 16th March.

This Order establishes, under section 22 of the Petroleum Act 1987, safety zones having a radius of 500 metres from the specified point around eleven installations (which are subsea installations) specified in the Schedule to this Order.


02 Mar 2015

SR 2015/70. The Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015. Coming into force 1st April.

The main purpose of this Order is to grant planning permission for certain classes of development under Part 3 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.


02 Mar 2015

SR 2015/71. The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Coming into force 1st April

These Regulations make provision for the new development management processes for determining planning applications.


Press Releases

18 Mar 2015

Natural England has announced that new Environmental Stewardship agreements will facilitate the restoration of Peak District and South Pennines peatlands. Running through to 2024, the agreements will bring great benefits to water quality, wildlife, recreation and business through changes to management, such as less heather burning and a return to traditional shepherding, on 39,000 hectares of moorland.


18 Mar 2015

The Environment Agency has published RGN No 6 - Determinations Involving Sites of High Public Interest. This Environment Agency regulatory guidance note focuses on sites of high public interest and the approaches and considerations used in determining permit applications for them.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rgn-6-determinations-involving-sites-of-high-public-inte)


18 Mar 2015

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has clarified how to report substances used in hydraulic fracturing. http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/21779840/annex+to+a+news+item+20150318.pdf


18 Mar 2015

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has announced that it has adopted the final Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) for 2015-2017. The plan contains 66 newly allocated substances and 68 substances as already published in the previous CoRAP on 26 March 2014. http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13628/corap_list_2015-2017_en.pdf


18 Mar 2015

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA )has announced that after the first year of operation of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), the BPC Secretariat has identified several points of the working procedure that needed either to be clarified or to be modified.

The revised working procedure is now on line. http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/4221979/bpc_working_procedure_active_substance_en.pdf


11 Mar 2015

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has received a request from DONG Energy Burbo Extension (UK) Limited to vary the deemed marine licence contained within schedules 2 and 3 of the Burbo Bank Extension Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014. This request is currently under consideration by the MMO.


05 Mar 2015

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has announced a revised plan delivery date for the smart metering by The Data and Communications Company (DCC.

Under this revised plan, the DCC will deliver operational services from April 2016 rather than its current target of December 2015


In The News

31 Mar 2015

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has published a list of pending Article 95 applications.

Of the eleven substances listed, only one ((Benzothiazol-2-ylthio) methyl thiocyanate (TCMTB)) has a UK based supplier.

http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17287015/active_substances_list_of_pending_app_en.pdf


27 Mar 2015

The Environment Agency has published guidance on acceptable evidence of equivalent environmental standards for packaging and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410784/LIT_10095.pdf


26 Mar 2015

The Department of Energy and Climate Change have released statistics on monthly production and consumption of coal, electricity, gas, oil and total energy include data for the UK for the period up to the end of January 2015.

a) Primary energy consumption in the UK on a fuel input basis fell by 2.4%, on a temperature adjusted basis it fell by 1.8%. b) Indigenous energy production fell by 2.5% with nuclear down 9.1% due to outages in November 2014.) c) Lower coal generation due to the closure of plants, however coal share remains above gas. Coal provided 35.4% of electricity generation by Major Power Producers, with gas at 26.9% and nuclear at 19.0) d) Wind generation by Major Power Producers up 6.9% due to increased capacity, whilst overall renewables up 18.9% with growth in biomass e) Low carbon share of electricity generation by Major Power Producers up 2.4 percentage points to 37.8%, due to rise in renewables generation

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-trends-and-prices-statistical-release-26-march-2015


25 Mar 2015

A draft of the third edition of Guidance Document L111 has been published.

This guidance on the COMAH Regulations 2015 gives advice on the scope of the Regulations and the duties imposed by them. A copy of the guidance document is available on the Simplif-Solutions web site.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l111.htm


17 Mar 2015

SI 2015/680 The Knottingley Power Plant Order 2015. This Order grants development consent for, and authorises Knottingley Power Limited to construct, operate and maintain a combined cycle gas turbine power plant located in east Knottingley, Yorkshire, together with associated development. Comes into force on 1st April.


11 Mar 2015

Six people were arrested during dawn raids yesterday (10th March); four for suspected waste offences and two for suspected human trafficking. This follows a nationwide Environment Agency probe into the illegal dumping of potentially hazardous waste at illegal waste sites in Bristol, Scunthorpe and Newark in Nottinghamshire. The investigation is also looking at links to an abandoned waste transfer site in Orpington run by operators Waste4Fuel.

More than forty Environment Agency investigators, supported by Humberside, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police, swooped on suspects home addresses and the sites as part of Operation Encore.


Consultations

31 Mar 2015

The European Union (EU) is consulting on the preparation of a legislative proposal on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the European Union's greenhouse gas emission reduction commitment. Consultation closes 18th June.

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/consultations/articles/0025_en.htm


31 Mar 2015

The European Commissionis consulting on the integration of agriculture, forestry and other land use into the 2030 EU climate and energy policy framework.

It seeks input on evaluation of current policies and the policy options to be assessed following the European Council's endorsement of the climate and energy framework in October 2014. Consultation closes 18th June.

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/consultations/articles/0026_en.htm


27 Mar 2015

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is seeking views on plans to amend the regulations for producer responsibility for batteries and packaging waste. Consultation closes 22nd May.

The proposed changes reduce the administrative burden of meeting these obligations. They amend: a) Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 b) Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 c) Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

The consultation also seeks evidence to help underpin a review of the waste plastic packaging target, and to support the Government’s analysis with WRAP and other partners to consider what further actions can be taken to ensure that the household waste recycling target is met.

(Source: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste/producer-responsibility-consultation)


24 Mar 2015

Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is seeking views on the levy allocation methodology to fund the Oil and Gas Authority. Consultation closes 20th April.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/funding-the-oil-and-gas-authority-consultation-on-levy-design


24 Mar 2015

Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is consultating on two issues relating to the roll-out of smart and advanced meters to the non-domestic sector: the “DCC opt-out” policy position and the advanced metering exception. Consultation closes 15th June.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-non-domestic-smart-metering


23 Mar 2015

The Environment Agency is consulting on two proposals for new standard rules for onshore oil and gas activities. Consultation closes on 15th June.

These rules will cover. a) A standard rule for a mining waste operation at exploratory ‘drill and core’ wells which also allows leak-off well pressure testing and acid washing to take place. b) A standard rule for the storage and handling of crude oil arising from onshore oil and gas exploration and production facilities.

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/ep/src/newrules/oilandgas


23 Mar 2015

DECC is gathering evidence on the issues for implementing the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) Contract for Difference (CFD) scheme in Northern Ireland (NI) and their implications for how the CFD scheme could operate across the United Kingdom (UK). Consultation closes 18th May.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/call-for-evidence-implementation-of-contracts-for-difference-and-the-supplier-obligation-in-northern-ireland


19 Mar 2015

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is asking for comments on proposals for reform of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) to improve the flow of funding to communities. Consultation closes on 10th June.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/413865/landfill_tax_condoc.pdf


18 Mar 2015

The Scottish Government is consulting on Good Practice Principles For Shared Ownership Of Onshore Renewable Energy Developments. Consultation closes on 9th June.

This document once finalised, will sit as an annex to the existing “Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments” published in April 2014 and available at www.localenergyscotland.org/goodpractice

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/2956


17 Mar 2015

The DFT has set out the government’s proposals and is seeking views on the UK’s implementation of EU regulation 165/2014 on tachographs in road transport. Consultation closes on 12th May.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tachographs-implementation-of-eu-regulation-1652014


10 Mar 2015

Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is seeking views on proposed amendments to the Contract for Difference and Electricity Market Reform secondary legislation. Consultation closes 20th April

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410469/Group_3_consultatio)


05 Mar 2015

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is consulting on amending permitted development rights for drilling boreholes for groundwater monitoring for petroleum exploration. Consultation closes 10th April

This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposal to amend Part 22 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 to allow the drilling of boreholes for groundwater monitoring for petroleum exploration.

This change would enable works to be carried out to establish baseline information on the groundwater environment in advance of, or in parallel to, any planning application(s) coming forward for such development.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/amendment-to-permitted-development-rights-for-petroleum-)


05 Mar 2015

The Scottish Government is consulting on River Basin Management Plans to improving the physical condition of Scotland's water environment. Consultation closes on 22nd May

This consultation proposes several key steps to increase progress in delivering improvements to the physical condition of Scotland's water environment - using scoping studies to help identify proportionate improvements; encourage partnerships to take forward voluntary restoration projects; and increase remediation of artificial structures where there are significant adverse impacts or barriers to fish passage.

(Source: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/1275)


02 Mar 2015

The Welsh Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have launched a consultation on proposals to tackle waste crime and poor performing sites in the waste management industry. Consultation closes on 6th May.

(Source: http://gov.wales/consultations/environmentandcountryside/waste-crime-and-poor-performing-sites/?stat)


Prosecutions

26 Mar 2015

Three construction firms were ordered to pay over £400,000 in fines and costs after a worker lost his arm when it became trapped in poorly-guarded machinery during a road surfacing operation in Hertfordshire.

An investigation by HSE found the worker, who was not formally trained in the use of the spreader, and his colleagues were only given one evening to familiarise themselves with the machine when they started work on site six months before the incident. They were not given any instruction or training in how to operate the machine safely, including how to secure guards, nor were they given a copy of the operator’s manual for the machine.

In addition, there was no safe system of work in place to ensure that the machine was set up and operated properly and that its use was restricted to those who were trained. While a risk assessment and a site-specific method statement had been prepared, these did not reflect the reality of the controls for the use of plant or the material.


20 Mar 2015

A South Yorkshire metal fabrication company was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay £36,000 toward prosecution costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and multiple breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 974, three relating to Prohibition Notices and two for offences of non-compliance with Improvement Notices.

In a period of just three months the company received thirty-one enforcement notices, ranging from improvements to a variety of plant and lifting machines to the provision of basic welfare facilities for staff.


18 Mar 2015

A Cheshire-based transport company has been fined £500,000 and ordered to pay a further £56,938 in costs after an employee was crushed between two lorries. The injured person was assisting a lorry driver to reverse park on a slope. The driver decoupled his trailer without engaging its parking brake, allowing it to roll back and trap her between the two vehicles.

The investigation found that vehicles were regularly parked on a slope without the provision of chocks or similar devices and that the company had no monitoring system to check whether drivers were applying their handbrakes properly.


18 Mar 2015

An East Yorkshire produce company has been fined a total of £38,000 and ordered to pay £8,320 in costs and a victim surcharge of £120 after two workers were seriously injured by reversing forklift trucks in separate incidents at its vegetable processing factory.

An investigation found that there were minimal restrictions on vehicle and pedestrian activity in the goods yard, there were no specified vehicle and pedestrian routes and the supervision of yard activities was inadequate


17 Mar 2015

A waste management company has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay £65,000 costs after a worker was killed when he was struck by a vehicle at a Watford waste transfer station.


13 Mar 2015

Three construction companies have been fined a total of £27,370 and order to pay £4,230 costs after a worker was crushed by a falling section of conveyor at a plant in Sleaford. The incident happened during construction of the Sleaford Renewable Energy plant when the 4.5 tonne conveyor section overturned during installation.

This was a large site with multiple contractors and up to three hundred people working at any one time. Although there was a series of site rules set out in a construction phase plan, management of the site by the principal contractor was poor as each of the main contractors ran their own areas as they desired.. This led to different procedures being followed and a lack of control over temporary works.

The risk assessment made by the company carrying out the installation was flawed, and its management and monitoring of the task was not sufficient to identify potential problems and stop the work in the four days before the incident.


13 Mar 2015

A North Wales businessman has been ordered to pay £107,000 and received a fifteen month suspended jail sentence for illegally dumping 1,000 tonnes of rubbish.

The court was told that he had saved £84,000 by not taking the waste to a licensed site where he would have had to pay more than £80 per tonne.

The businessman, who operated from an industrial estate near Denbigh, had had his operator's licence rescinded and was under pressure to remove the waste.


11 Mar 2015

A West Yorkshire firm has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,588 after its factory was damaged when an industrial oven exploded only minutes after workers had left the area.

The oven was used to ‘bake’ gasket sheets as part of the production process. This required components to be mixed with a flammable paraffin, formed into sheets and then thoroughly dried to drive off the flammable solvent before being ‘baked’.

HSE’s investigation identified that the company had developed a process with a separate drying operation to ensure the sheets were fully dry before going into the oven. However critical instrumentation on the drier was allowed to fail and was not repaired.


09 Mar 2015

A lift company has been fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £50,000 in costs after tourists were left with broken legs and ankles when a Tower Bridge lift fell several metres into a service pit because a vital mechanism failed.

The HSE investigation revealed that there had been a number of historic component failures in the counterweight mechanism on two separate lifts at the attraction prior to the catastrophic failure. However, these components had simply been replaced without a proper review and investigation as to why they were failing early.

HSE concluded that the uncontrolled fall could have been avoided had more in-depth analysis occurred, and that the fact this had not happened was indicative of wider failings.


05 Mar 2015

A Sheffield company has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,000 after spreading 2,023 tonnes of liquid waste in Doncaster and Worksop without permits in place. In addition the company’s director was disqualified for four years, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a contribution towards costs of £572.00 in view of his limited means.

The company also pleaded guilty to a further offence of failing to ensure that land spreading activities were overseen by a technically competent person.