• Published: November 2009
• REF/ISBN: 9780852935446
• Edition: 1st
• Status: Current

This report is available to download for free in PDF format for registered users.

In March 2009, the requirements of the European Environmental Liabilities Directive (2004/35/EC) were implemented in England as the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations. Regulations for other nations quickly followed.

This introductory guide, produced by the EI with the assistance of ENVIRON UK, introduces the concepts of the European and national regulations and explains what these mean to site operators. In particular the document highlights the value of prior knowledge about a site's environmental setting.

The Regulations specifically put into practice the 'polluter pays principle'; its fundamental aim is to hold operators whose activities have caused environmental damage financially liable for remedying this damage. In addition, the Regulations hold those whose activities pose an imminent threat of environmental damage liable to taking immediate preventative action.

This guide explains how gathering existing information on the sensitive species and habitats in the vicinity of a site can help to protect against regulatory determination and overly stringent remediation.