What is Environmental Compliance?

Environmental Compliance = Adhering to Environmental Laws and Permits
+ Monitoring and Controlling Environmental Impact
+ Documenting Environmental Compliance
+ Training and Awareness
+ Auditing and Continuous Development

In the UK and internationally, organisations must assess their environmental impact and take steps to ensure they are operating in full compliance with relevant environmental standards and legislation. This is to protect the environment from activities that may cause unnecessary harm to natural resources such as air, water and soil.

Measuring our impact on the environment is crucial for protecting the environment and ensuring the future of resources. There are several operational benefits to environmental compliance. Having a visible measure of environmental compliance provides transparency, which in turn improves trust and reputation.

In the future, the focus on environmental compliance will become increasingly prominent. This is likely to involve more mandatory requirements for more organisations. Environmental scrutiny is affecting all of us, so let’s examine what environmental compliance means to businesses today.

Typically, environmental compliance covers the following broad areas.

• Waste Management – disposal of hazardous waste, recycling, transport and storage of waste.
• Pollution Control – emissions and air quality.
• Resource Management – protect resources like water, energy and raw materials, and use them sustainably.
• Environmental Impact Assessment – used to assess the environmental impact of a particular project or development.

There may be further specific regulations relevant to certain industries and locations.

What Does it Mean for Businesses?

All businesses must adhere to relevant environmental laws and regulatory guidelines. With this in mind, environmental compliance applies to all organisations that impact the environment while performing their normal operations. In the field of environmental compliance, several methods and techniques are available to help organisations measure and assess their environmental performance.

Environmental Audit

A structured and documented evaluation of an organisation’s environmental performance. This type of audit measures actual performance against environmental legislation and environmental goals. The audit will identify areas of improvement.

Environmental Compliance Certificate

All businesses whose activities may impact the environment are required to request an environmental compliance certificate. An ECC certificate confirms that an organisation is compliant with environmental regulations. Not only is it a legal requirement, it proves a commitment to protecting the environment. Certification involves an initial application in which a detailed overview of the project is submitted. This will decide whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment is required, or the lower Environmental Management Plan.

Environmental Impact Assessment

This type of formal assessment is used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or development. It is a proactive approach that ensures consideration to the environment for the duration of the project.

Environmental Management System

An EMS is a structured, planned approach that helps organisations manage their environmental impact. The plan allows targets to be set, improving sustainability and overall environmental performance. Key aspects include identifying and controlling environmental impact and ensuring regulatory compliance. There are several EMS framework models available for businesses to use, including ISO 14001, BS 8555, and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is an international standard that provides a structure for organisations to manage their environmental responsibilities. The standard provides a framework that organisations can follow to implement a successful Environmental Management System. It helps businesses become more sustainable while complying with environmental laws. There are several components to ISO 14001, specifically processes, policies and procedures that will help an organisation achieve its environmental targets effectively. ISO 14001 should be used by any organisation that wants to set up, improve, or maintain an environmental management system.

There are valuable benefits to improving environmental performance:

• Significant cost savings can be generated through reduced waste and recycling measures.
• Enhanced brand reputation.
• Future-proof further environmental regulations and resource management.

What Environmental Laws Are There?

Businesses in the UK are subject to several environmental laws. With so many different rules and regulations, compliance can get confusing and become a complex and time-consuming process. Outsourcing environmental duties allows business owners to focus on their primary operations, while occupational hygiene experts handle the rest. The table below outlines the primary environmental laws in the UK and how Blue Turtle Occupational Hygiene Consultants can help.

Complete Workplace Compliance

Reduce your organisation’s environmental impact with a structured environmental impact assessment. Achieve environmental compliance while reducing operational costs, enhancing brand reputation, and protecting the planet.

How Blue Turtle Can Help

At Blue Turtle Ltd, our expert Occupational Hygiene Consultants are available to provide guidance and implement the correct procedures to ensure your workplace remains fully compliant with environmental laws and guidelines. We will visit your place of work to assess current exposures and emissions. Our advisers will prepare a full report detailing current controls, data analysis results and recommended measures to achieve full compliance with environmental laws, standards and guidelines.

Reduce your environmental impact with Blue Turtle. Contact us now for a friendly, informal discussion.