A round-up of new regulations this month.
Legislation
Hazardous substances
Enters into force: 1 January 2018
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017 designate competent authorities and set offences and penalties under Regulation (EU) 2017/852, which was adopted to fill gaps in existing EU mercury legislation and ratify the Minamata Convention.
Water abstraction
Enters into force: 1 January 2018
England, Wales
The Water Resources (Exemptions) Regulations 2017 and the Water Resources (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2017 aim to bring most previously exempt water abstractions (over 20m³/day threshold) under licensing control.
Hazardous substances
Enters into Force: 30 January 2018
EU
Regulation (EU) 35/2018 amends Annex 17 to REACH to add octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) to the list of restricted substances, along with conditions of restriction.
Waste management
Enters into Force: 1 February 2018
England, Wales
The Draft Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 enhances powers to tackle illegal activity at waste sites and to require waste from a site to be removed, including waste that was initially lawfully deposited.
Ionising radiation
Enters into force: 6 February 2018
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 implement Directive 2013/59/EURATOM to ensure safe use of radiological procedures.
Consultations
Biodiversity
Enters into force: 9 January 2018
England, Wales
Defra seeks views on a proposed enforcement regime, required by Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on preventing and managing the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, including monetary penalties, warnings, advice and enforcement notices.
Waste
Enters into force: 15 January 2018
England, Wales
Defra has proposed measures to tackle waste crime and poor performance at waste sites. They aim to raise waste operator competence, change current waste exemptions within the permitting system, and introduce a fixed-penalty notice for household duty-of-care offences for fly-tipping.
Guidance
Pollution prevention
Enters into force: 1 January 2018
Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
New Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP 20) on dewatering underground ducts and chambers advises on dealing with build-up water that could be contaminated with chemicals, oils or silt, and quality checks.
