CIWM responds to Government's Red Tape review response

Reacting to the Government’s Cutting Red Tape response published yesterday, CIWM has welcomed a number of proposals but says the response has sidestepped a number of important issues.
 
“There are proposals that we welcome, including action on the Definition of Waste to ensure that is an effective regime that maintains the concept of environmental protection without creating unnecessary barriers to beneficial recovery and recycling. This, and further work on REACH, will be important as we move towards more circular economic principles,” says CIWM chief executive Steve Lee. “Likewise, we are encouraged by the commitment to explore how the PRN system can be changed to provide a level playing field for domestic reprocessing and address the impact of price volatility. The concept of ‘earned recognition’ meanwhile, could help to ensure that enforcement is focused where it is needed to eliminate poor performance and the growing problem of waste crime.
 
“On the other hand, the response does not adequately address key issues identified by CIWM members during the consultation. There is concern that the streamlining process and the move to www.gov.uk has adversely affected the quality and availability of waste-related guidance, and the issue of enforcement is also a critical one. CIWM has called for better and smarter enforcement in a number of areas including Duty of Care but enforcement capability is inextricably linked to resources. The response fails to acknowledge the impact of the Government’s significant and ongoing cuts to the Environment Agency’s budget.
 
“CIWM agrees that there is more to achieve on Duty of Care, given that this regime is critical to cultivating a more responsible attitude to waste and resources across the UK business sector and providing valuable data. We would not want to see the duty weakened in any way but there is scope to ensure that the waste management industry is in a better position to support the 4.5 million UK businesses who should be complying with it. We want to build on the considerable work that the industry is undertaking in this area, including a soon to be launched national awareness campaign and the development of an easy to use online electronic Duty of Care tool (edoc) that could significantly reduce the cost and administrative burden on business.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues.
  2. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Press contact:
Pat Jennings
Head of Policy & Communications
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk