Small Firms (Hansard, 18 December 1991)

§ Mr. Trippier

Many aspects of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will affect businesses, large and small; They includePart I Integrated pollution control (applies to new processes and substantial changes to existing processes from 1 April 1991; being phased in for existing processes over five years). Local authority air pollution control (the final stage of introduction is 1 April 1992; parts were introduced on 1 April and 1 October 1991). Part II New and extended controls on waste management (the duty of care together with associated Regulations and a Code of Practice come into force on 1 April 1992; we propose to bring into force other measures governing the collection, treatment and disposal of waste and the waste management licensing system by April 1992). Part III Statutory nuisance including emissions from premises of dust, smell, effluvia, noise and non-dark smoke which are prejudicial to health or a nuisance; improvement of existing legislation (came into force on 1 January 1991). Part IV Package of measures to deal with litter, including powers for local authorities to tackle litter problems caused by certain businesses (an order specifying types of firms affected came into effect on 1 July 1991). Part V Introduction of cost recovery for regulation of premises under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 (started from 1 April 1991). Part VI Genetically Modified Organisms (it is intended to make regulations that could come into force in 1992). Part VIII Miscellaneous; including the introduction of licensing for dumping waste at sea within UK Continental Shelf Limits; and, of greater relevance to small firms powers to make regulations prohibiting or restricting the importation, supply, use or storage of harmful substances or articles and to require their disposal, as well as to require manufacturers, importers or suppliers of chemicals specified in orders to provide information on their properties and use and to carry out testing to obtain such information.

The Department of the Environment has prepared a publication entitled "A Guide to the Environmental Protection Act 1990", which is available free to small firms and others.