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About The Environment Agency
The Environment Agency have offices across England and Wales working on carrying out
Government policy by working with businesses to reduce the effect their work has on the
environment. The response of businesses to environmental laws has meant that our air and
water are cleaner and safer now than at any time in the last 200 years. Regulation is vital
to control pollution and environmental damage and make sure that these gains aren’t wasted.
Directives
European Directives require member states to achieve specific environmental objectives.
Each directive is translated into UK law through a set of regulations.
Permits and licences
They regulate business and industry, from implementing European (EU) level directives
nationally to issuing permits and running trading schemes, such as the Landfill Allowances
Trading Scheme (LATS) and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).
Compliance - monitoring and assessment
They monitor emissions to air, land and water (MCERTS), compliance and Operator
Pollution Risk Appraisal (OPRA) Enforcement and prosecution policy and guidance.
Principles and approaches
Society demands high environmental standards and expects companies and individuals to
behave responsibly. The business world expects greater regulatory efficiency, minimising
bureaucracy, so that compliance costs are kept to a minimum. These potentially conflicting
demands can be met with a regulatory regime that helps business and individuals to improve,
rewards good performers but is tough on those who do not meet acceptable standards.
Methods of Regulation
Methods used to regulate: Direct regulation, Trading Schemes, Education & advice,
Environmental taxes, Voluntary agreements.
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