§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has undertaken(a) a cost compliance assessment and (b) a small business litmus test of the proposals outlined in waste management planning as they apply to metal recyclers. [24462]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department prepares compliance cost assessments in accordance with general Government guidelines, and they include a small business litmus test. The guidelines require a compliance cost assessment to be prepared for proposed legislation or when preparing statistical surveys which will involve business. "Waste management planning—principles and practice" sets out the way in which waste regulation authorities—now the Environment Agency—should collect information on wastes and waste management facilities and use it to promote integrated waste strategies, leading to more sustainable waste management. It gives non-statutory guidance on the way surveys should be carried out, but 235W does not constitute the preparation of a survey. Accordingly, no compliance cost assessment was deemed to be necessary for this document.