Transboundary Radioactive Waste

Guidance Transboundary impacts of radioactive waste disposal: reporting and notification obligations What operators need to do in terms of submitting plans for radioactive waste disposal following our exit from Euratom and requirements under Article 37. From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Published 31 December 2020 Last updated 14 September 2021 — See all updates […]

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UK Emissions Scheme

Guidance Participating in the UK ETS Updated 31 December 2021 Contents Overview Who the UK ETS applies to Permitting, monitoring, reporting and verification Registry Free allocation Auctioning and market operation Simplified provisions for small emitters and hospitals, and ultra-small emitting installations Related content Print this page Overview A UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) replaced […]

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LPF Environment EU UK Agreement

Chapter seven : Environment and climate Article 7.1: Definitions 1. For the purposes of this Chapter, “environmental levels of protection” means the levels of protection provided overall in a Party’s law which have the purpose of protecting the environment, including the prevention of a danger to human life or health from environmental impacts, including in […]

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Natural Environment

Nature Conservation There is a significant body of European Union driven legislation dealing with nature conservation.  This is part of the EU’s environmental function acquired in the single European act and progressively strengthened through the various treaties in the last 30 years. The habitats directive required member states to take actions to protect certain habitats […]

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The Atmosphere

National Limits on Atmospheric Pollutants There are national limits in respect of certain atmospheric pollutants.  They apply to sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds and ammonia.  National emission ceilings were provided by the end of 2010.  The purpose of the emission ceilings was to meet specific environmental objectives so that the critical loads of […]

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Water

Water Framework Directive The water framework directive is a framework for the protection of: Groundwater Coastal waters Inland surface waters Transitional waters. It has the objective of preventing and reducing pollution, promoting sustainable use, environmental protection, improving ecosystems, and managing floods and droughts.  The objective is to meet good, ecological, and chemical status for all […]

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Waste

Overview of Waste There are common EU rules on treatment and dealing with waste.  The aims  are to protect the environment and health and prevent the harmful effects of waste generation and management. Member states must take measures for the treatment of waste in accordance with the hierarchy of priority. Prevention; Preparing for reuse; Recycling; […]

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Recycling and Recovery

WEEE The so-called WEEE directives deal with waste electrical and electronic equipment.  The directive applies to: Large and small household appliances; IT and telecommunications equipment; Consumer equipment; Lighting equipment; Toys, leisure, and sports equipment; Electronic and electrical tools; Medical devices; Automatic dispensers; Monitoring and controlling instruments. Member states must minimise the disposal of waste electrical […]

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Climate Change

Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol to which the EU and its member states are parties, requires that states tackle emissions of six specified greenhouse gas.  There are biding quantified objectives for limiting and reducing the greenhouse gases.  The gases are Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous Oxide Hydrofluorocarbons Perfluorocarbons Sulfur hexafluoride The industrialized countries party to the […]

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Information and Enforcement

Information on the Environment The European Union has approved the Convention designed to facilitate access by the public to environmental information, participation in the decision-making process, and access to justice in environmental matters. Parties to the convention must take the necessary legal and regulatory steps to enable public officials and authorities to help and advise […]

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UK Energy and Climate Change Revocations

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY (REVOCATION) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS 2021 2021 No. [XXXX] 1. Introduction 1.1 This explanatory memorandum has been prepared by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and is laid before Parliament by Act. 1.2 This memorandum contains information for the Sifting Committees. 2. Purpose of the instrument […]

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Hydroflurocarbons EU Preparedness

Reporting of Data Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 provides that the placing on the Union market of hydrofluorocarbons by producers or importers is subject to an annual quota in order to achieve their gradual reduction. Those quotas for the producers and importers are calculated based on reference values determined by the Commission on the basis of […]

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Oil & Gas Businesses UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice explains to businesses engaged in energy sector activities (e.g. oil and gas exploration and production operations), and companies obligated under the UK’s Compulsory Stockholding of Oil regime, how these will apply should the UK leave the EU in March 2019 with no agreement in place. This notice covers: oil and gas licensing […]

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Ozone Depleting Substances UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice sets out how the UK would continue to regulate the trade and use of fluorinated gases (F gases) and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal. These gases are used as refrigerants, feedstocks for the manufacture of other chemicals, in medical inhalers, fire […]

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Environmental Standards UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice sets out how the UK government will uphold environmental standards if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal. These include standards in areas such as waste, air quality, water, and protection of habitats and species. Before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) Human health and the environment is currently protected by […]

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Car Emissions UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice provides manufacturers with information about regulating and reporting CO2 emissions of new cars and vans registered in the UK if we leave the EU in March 2019 with no agreement in place. Before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) Emissions of CO2 from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles registered in Europe each year […]

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Aircraft Emissions

Guidance Complying with the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) as an aircraft operator This guidance will help you meet your obligations under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) as an aircraft operator. From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Published: 17 December 2020 Contents Check whether you have obligations under the UK […]

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F Gas Conformity UK Post-Deal Guidance

Guidance Declaration of conformity Published 31 December 2020 Declaration of conformity with Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council as amended We [insert the name of company, the VAT identification number and for importers of equipment insert the UK Fgas registration ID], declare under our sole responsibility […]

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Importing Nuclear Materials UK Post-Deal Guidance

Guidance Importing ‘relevant’ nuclear materials from the EU: licensing requirements What businesses need to do to import ‘relevant’ nuclear materials from the EU. Published 31 December 2020 From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Contents When you need a licence How to apply for a licence More information Print this page Businesses need to […]

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Radioactive Waste UK Post-Deal Guidance

Guidance Shipping radioactive waste and spent fuel The UK’s policy on the import and export of radioactive waste and spent fuel has not changed, but there are some changes to the processes that operators need to follow. Published 31 December 2020 From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Contents What operators need to do […]

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Report CO2 Emissions UK Post-Deal Guidance

Guidance Report CO2 emissions for new cars and vans How vehicle manufacturers should report CO2 emissions for their vehicles. Published 31 December 2020 From: Department for Transport Print this page Regulating and reporting CO₂ emissions of new cars and vans CO₂ emissions from cars and vans newly registered in the UK were previously governed by European Union […]

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Ozone Depleting Substances UK Post-Deal Guidance

Guidance Applying for quota to import or produce ozone-depleting substances You need a quota to sell ODS that you import or produce. From: Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Published 16 October 2019 Last updated 1 September 2021 — See all updates Print this page You need a quota to sell ozone-depleting substances (ODS) […]

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Trading Gas UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice provides gas market stakeholders with an explanation of how the trading of gas with European states will operate in the unlikely event that the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no agreement in place. Before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) The UK has gas interconnectors (direct pipelines) with Ireland, the Netherlands, and […]

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Climate Change Obligations UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice aims to support the contingency planning of UK operators of installations (for example, power stations and oil refineries) and UK-administered aircraft operators that currently participate in the EU Emissions Trading System, and other organisations and individuals with accounts within the UK section of the Consolidated System of European Registries which also includes the UK’s […]

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POPs (Pollutants) UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice outlines the arrangements that would come into force to regulate Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no deal. POPs are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. They persist in the environment for long periods, are capable […]

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Waste Shipments UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice sets out for businesses involved in the import or export of waste how the UK government will maintain the continuity of waste shipments between the UK and the EU in the unlikely event the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) Under the Basel Convention on the Control […]

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UK Commons Committee Natural Environment

Important Notice- See the Disclaimer Below Brexit Legal, McMahon Legal and Paul McMahon have no liability arising from reliance on anything contained in this article nor on this website Contact McMahon Legal 

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UK Commons Committee EU Environmental

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EU Paper Emissions Trading

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Drug Precursors UK No Deal Notes

Purpose If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal, find out how this would affect you if you are handling and trading in drug precursor chemicals. Drug precursors are chemicals that can be used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs. They also have legitimate commercial uses and are legally used […]

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Industrial Emissions UK No Deal Notes

Purpose This notice sets out how the Industrial Emissions Best Available Technique (BAT) regime would be affected if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal. The UK government is developing systems and processes that would make the transition as straightforward as possible. Before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) There is a large body […]

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Ozone Deleting Gases Guidance

Guidance Using and trading fluorinated gas and ozone-depleting substances: rules and processes if the UK leaves the EU with no deal Updated 11 February 2019 Contents UK regulation of F gas and ODS from 30 March 2019 New quota systems for F gas (hydrofluorocarbons – HFCs) and ODS HFC quota system Transferring and authorising quota […]

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Climate Change Guidance

Guidance Meeting climate change requirements if there’s no Brexit deal Updated 28 February 2019 Contents Purpose Climate change regulations and mechanisms Energy-using products: ecodesign and energy labelling Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the government’s top priority. This has not changed. However, the government must prepare for every eventuality, including a no deal […]

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Endangered Species

Moving endangered species between the UK and the EU Updated 21 December 2018 Contents How processes will change Actions you can take now Global trade and movement of endangered animals or plants, or their products (for example skin, fur, teeth, shell, feathers, blood or seeds) is controlled under the Convention in International Trade in Endangered […]

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Trading Ozone Depleting Substances

If the UK leaves the EU without any deal on 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), the government will maintain the same high standards in regulating fluorinated gases (F-gases) and ozone depleting substances (ODS), which are used as refrigerants, feedstocks for the manufacture of other chemicals, in medical inhalers, fire extinguishers and in a range of other applications. […]

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Shipping Waste

International shipments of waste are currently controlled through a process of prior written consent, allowing countries exporting hazardous waste to verify that destination countries are content to accept shipments and the waste can be managed in an environmentally sound manner at its final destination. EU regulation controls the movement of waste into, within and from […]

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UK Lords Note Environmental

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The Environment UK Parliament

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Chemicals Regulation UK Parliament

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Air Quality UK Parliament

Important Notice- See the Disclaimer Below Brexit Legal, McMahon Legal and Paul McMahon have no liability arising from reliance on anything contained in this article nor on this website

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EU Withdrawal Note Eco Management & Audit

Brussels, 7 March 2018 NOTICE TO STAKEHOLDERS RULES IN THE FIELD OF THE COMMUNITY ECO-MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT SCHEME (EMAS) The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that, unless a ratified withdrawal agreement1 […]

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EU Withdrawal Note Illegal Logging

Brussels, 21 March 2018 NOTICE TO STAKEHOLDERS RULES IN THE FIELD OF FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL LOGGING AND ASSOCIATED TRADE The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that, unless a ratified withdrawal agreement1 […]

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EU Withdrawal Note Protected Species

Brussels, 7 March 2018 NOTICE TO STAKEHOLDERS TRADE IN PROTECTED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that, unless a ratified withdrawal agreement1 establishes another date, […]

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EU Withdrawal Note Waste Law

EUROPEAN COMMISSIONDIRECTORATE-GENERAL ENVIRONMENT Brussels, 8 November 2018 (REV1 – replaces the notice to stakeholders published on 8 February 2018) NOTICE TO STAKEHOLDERS WITHDRAWAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND EU WASTE LAW The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty […]

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EU Withdrawal Note Ecolabel

NOTICE TO STAKEHOLDERS RULES FOR THE USE OF THE EU ECOLABEL The United Kingdom submitted on 29 March 2017 the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that, unless a ratified withdrawal agreement1 establishes another date, all Union primary and secondary […]

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Climate Change Obligations 2021 UK Guidance

Meeting climate change requirements from 1 January 2021 Transition updates July 2020 On 7 July 2020, the European Commission published a notice to stakeholders advising on technical issues in relation to the end of the transition period. Stakeholders are advised to review the notice to see how it will affect them. We have updated this guidance note […]

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Climate Change Regulation 2021 UK Guidance

Guidance Meeting climate change requirements from 1 January 2021 Updated 28 April 2020 The UK has left the EU This page tells you what you’ll need to do from 1 January 2021. It’ll be updated if anything changes. You can read about the transition period. Contents Transition updates Summary of actions Climate change regulations and mechanisms […]

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Radioactive Waste 2021 UK Guidance

Radioactive waste, spent fuel or sources European and UK regulations govern how you can move radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel into or out of the country. Published 13 March 2014 Last updated 28 February 2020 — see all updates From: Environment Agency Contents How to ship radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel Authorisation assessment and […]

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Flourinated Gases 2021 UK Guidance

Fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances: how to do business from 1 January 2021 How to comply with fluorinated gas (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS) regulations from 1 January 2021. Published 6 February 2020 From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Environment Agency The UK has left the EU This page tells you what you’ll […]

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UK Greenhouse Gases Adaptations

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME (AMENDMENT) (EU EXIT) (NO.2) REGULATIONS 2019 2019 No. XXXX 1. Introduction 1.1 This explanatory memorandum has been prepared by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and is laid before Parliament by Act. 1.2 This explanatory memorandum contains information for the Sifting Committees. 2. Purpose […]

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Transboundary Waste

Tackling threats posed by chemicals (Stockholm Convention) Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) harm human health and the environment. The Stockholm Convention is based on the precautionary principle and seeks to guarantee the safe elimination of these substances, as well as reductions in their production and use. Council Decision 2006/507/EC of 14 October 2004 concerning the conclusion, […]

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Waste General

EU waste management law Directive 2008/98/EC on waste It establishes a legal framework for treating waste in the EU. This is designed to protect the environment and human health by emphasising the importance of proper waste management, recovery and recycling techniques to reduce pressure on resources and improve their use. KEY POINTS The legislation establishes […]

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Packaging Waste

Packaging and packaging waste Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste Directive (EU) 2018/852 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste Directive 94/62/EC sets out the EU’s rules on managing packaging and packaging waste. Directive (EU) 2018/852 amends Directive 94/62/EC and contains updated measures designed to: prevent the production of packaging waste, and promote […]

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Some Dangerous Wastes

Reduction of pollution caused by waste from the titanium dioxide industry EU legislation on pollution caused by waste from the titanium dioxide industry is now governed by Directive 2010/75(EU) on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated […]

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Climate Change

United Nations (UN) climate change negotiations — an overview Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as it applies to EU participation in UN climate change negotiations THE TREATY ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UN CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning […]

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Ozone Depletion Coventions

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer Decision 88/540/EEC on the conclusion of the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer The Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer […]

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Greenhouse Gases

Reducing man-made greenhouse gases (fluorinated gases) The regulation is designed to mitigate climate change and protect the environment by reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). It aims to cut these by two thirds of today’s levels by 2030. Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 […]

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Monitoring Emissions

Mechanism for monitoring greenhouse gases Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 — mechanism for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and other information relevant to climate change This regulation, the Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR), significantly expands and strengthens the previous mechanism for monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU. It aims to enhance the monitoring and […]

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Emissions Trading

Emissions Trading System — Innovation Fund rules Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/856 with regard to the operation of the Innovation Fund The Innovation Fund introduced in Directive 2003/87/EC is designed to support innovative initiatives as part of EU emissions trading system (ETS)*, the EU’s cornerstone policy to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.This […]

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Sustainable Energy

Moving toward competitive sustainable and secure energy for Europe The European Union (EU) is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by between 80-95 % below 1990 levels by 2050. It has a clear agenda up to 2020. Now it is setting a new direction for its decarbonisation ambitions for the following 3 decades in […]

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Dangerous Substances

Major accidents involving dangerous chemicals Directive 2012/18/EU on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances It aims to control major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, especially chemicals. This Directive, so-called Seveso-III, amended the previous Seveso-II (Directive 96/82/EC), which, in view of the lessons learned from later accidents such as Bhopal, Toulouse or Enschede, had […]

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