Assessing the effectiveness of regulatory activities at ‘low-risk’ sites and proposing good-practice guidelines.
ER13
2011

Summary

Background to research

The environment agencies of the UK devolved administrations and the Republic of Ireland are all striving to find ways to reduce and streamline their compliance assessment activities without compromising environmental protection.

In order to enhance the focus of their resources on their key priorities, each has developed a risk based approach. Their main focus to date has been on developing approaches for tackling the highest risk sites. Less attention has been given to identifying the best ways to focus limited regulatory resources at lower risk sites. This project seeks to redress that imbalance and to ensure that all the environment agencies have information on the appropriate type and level of oversight for low risk sites, and to assist them in developing their approaches with respect to such sites. Objectives of research The objectives of this project were to:

• Develop and test a framework for assessing the effectiveness of regulatory action at low-risk sites and:
• Provide regulators with a tool for reviewing existing practices and shaping future interventions.

Output Reports:

Description of regulatory approaches to assessing the effectiveness of regulatory activities at low-risk sites and proposed good practice framework. Phase 1 Report: (Research and framework development). April 2011.

Description of regulatory approaches to assessing the effectiveness of regulatory activities at low-risk sites and proposed good practice framework. Phase 2 Report: (Framework validation and refinement). August 2011.

Description of regulatory approaches to low-risk sites and development of a good practice framework. Final project report: (Regulatory approaches for lower risk sites) October 2011.

Copies of these reports are available from the Foundation:
Phase 1 - in electronic format on CDRom at £20.00 + VAT or hard copy at £35.00 less 20% to FWR members.
Phase 2 - in electronic format on CDRom at £20.00 + VAT or hard copy at £15.00 less 20% to FWR members.
Final project report - in electronic format on CDRom at £20.00 + VAT or hard copy at £25.00 less 20% to FWR members.

N.B. The reports are available for download from the SNIFFER Website