The EPA have published their Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2015.  The plan sets out the priority actions that the EPA will take between now and 2015 in its role as environmental regulator, knowledge provider and advocate for the environment. Clean Water, Preventing Environmental Damage, providing Accessible Information and influencing Behavioural Change are four of the nine...

New rules that entered into force on 13th August 2012 will see EU citizens better informed about major threats posed by industrial plants in their immediate vicinity. The rules are part of an update of the Seveso Directive, a key instrument in industrial risk management. The Directive obliges Member States to draw up emergency plans...

Over the last 20+ years we have developed our understanding of the many rules and regulation governing water quality and how they are implemented in Ireland and which our clients need to both be aware of and comply with, including: Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977-1990 EPA Acts 1990 – 2011 The Water Framework Directive...

The EPA has launched a new iPhone app to encourage people to report environmental pollution. You can download the App now from the iTunes App Store (search iTunes for: ‘See it Say it’) or visit http://goo.gl/gOJMa or scan the QR code here. Then, if you spot  environmental pollution or dumping, simpl open the App, take a...

Revised regulations on decorative paints and solvents were published on January 1st 2013.  Re-sprayers and dry cleaners are required by law to register with their local authority, and have their premises inspected to ensure that they use appropriate products, dispose of waste in an appropriate manner and take measures to protect the environment. The EPA...

The EPA has published the National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2013 and the European Commission has announced that Ireland has now adopted all the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the Court of Justice judgment in Case C‑188/08. The Plan outlines how septic tanks and waste water treatment systems will be...

It is often quite alarming to find out that, otherwise, good business are not aware of new laws which could have serious implication for the sustainability and indeed the viability of their business activities. The Directive on industrial emissions 2010/75/EU (IED) was due to be transposed into national legislation by Member States by 7 January 2013.  The...

REACH is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use (EC 1907/2006). It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. The law entered into force on 1 June 2007. The REACH Regulation places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the...

Directive 2006/118/EC  on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration was implemented in Ireland by S.I. No.9 of 2010 – European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010. The directive establishes a regime which sets underground water quality standards and introduces measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. The directive establishes quality criteria that takes...

Strategic Environmental Assessment in Ireland (SEA) is the process by which environmental considerations are integrated into Plans and Programmes across a broad range of sectors including energy, fisheries, industry, telecommunications, water and land use. A review of SEA, commissioned by the EPA, has found that: SEA is providing a vital tool for environmental protection in...