Euratom (UK)

FT reports UK will leave the Euratom treaty. More soon 

FT article is here. 

Politico article is here. 

The “announcement” is in the Explanatory Notes to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill 2016-2017.

Exiting the EU (UK)

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill is here 

I will continue to post Blogs as this process unfolds. Specific law changes in EHS Legislation Registers will be notified by Email Alert.

The Bill Second Reading is the next step. 

Health and Work Strategy (UK)

New draft HSE strategy, plus draft proposals for workplace stress. I will add these to Registers when available. 

Further information is here. 

Natural Capital Protocol

The Natural Capital Protocol is a standardized framework that helps companies identify, measure and value their impacts and dependencies on natural capital. It was launched in July 2016.

The Council of the European Union, gathered on 17 October 2016 in Luxembourg under the Slovak Presidency, officially recognised the Natural Capital Protocol in the Outcome of the Council meeting. In its conclusions, the Council “considers that mainstreaming biodiversity provides new opportunities for all economic sectors, including the private sector (…); and calls on the business sector to increase its involvement in and contribution to achieving both the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the biodiversity-related Sustainable Development Goals, and to analyse and invest in improvements and report on their impacts, actions and investments related to biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides, sharing experiences and best practices, e.g. in the framework of Business and Biodiversity Platforms as well as other initiatives, such as the Natural Capital Protocol”. 

The Natural Capital Protocol is here.

The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are here.

Microbeads New Legislation (UK)

The UK government is consulting, with the objective of new legislation by October 2017, to ban the sale and marketing of cosmetics and personal care products containing microbeads that may harm the marine environment.

Notification of the new legislation will be by email. 

The consultation supporting document (that sets out the detail) is here.

Carcinogens & Mutagens (EU Law)

An amendment to European Directive 2004/37/EC (Carcinogens and Mutagens) is expected to be adopted in February 2017. This amendment will set exposure limits for a further 11 carcinogens in addition to those covered by the existing 2004 directive. These are: 

* respirable crystalline silica dust

* 1,2-Epoxypropane

* 1,3-Butadiene

* 2-Nitropropane

* acrylamide

* certain chromium (VI) compounds

* ethylene oxide

* o-toluidine

* refractory ceramic fibres

* Bromoethylene

* Hydrazine

The amendment will also revise the limits for vinyl chloride monomer and hardwood dusts in the light of more recent scientific data. 

There will be minimum requirements for eliminating and reducing all carcinogens and mutagens. In line with the existing 2004 Directive, Employers will have to identify and assess risks to workers who are associated with exposure to specific carcinogens (and mutagens), and prevent exposure where risks exist. 

Substitution by a non or less-hazardous process or chemical agent will be required where this is technically possible. 

Email Alerts will be sent out. The Amendment proposal is here. 

UK Brexit Update (Cardinal Environment)

Today the UK Prime Minister confirms the key points of approach ahead of commencing the administrative mechanisms of UK exit from the EU.

In common with others, we see three work streams in the UK exit from the EU :

(1) Administrative Brexit

(2) Legal Brexit

(3) Trade Brexit

We will continue to advise, by Email direct, and in this Blog, on all 3 Brexits. 

Administrative Brexit

The UK PM speech today confirms a March 2017 start to this.

Legal Brexit

The acquis of the EU will be separated from UK law. This is a substantive task. Since gaps are inevitable, we will begin our own project of separation for those EHS, product, and equipment laws we provide and we advise on.

Trade Brexit

New and changes to existing conformity assessment procedures, regulatory bodies, product packaging, labelling, classification, will impinge on EHS, product, and equipment law. Accordingly, these will be included in the Cardinal Environment Law Project (identified under Legal Brexit). 

Cardinal Environment Offices

To help with work planning, and delivery, a second office will be opened in Canary Wharf. This will handle International (including European) contracts.

Watford : UK and ROI (Republic of Ireland)

Canary Wharf : International (including European)