News

The lower threshold for air-conditioning inspections in England and Wales, which includes all systems with an output of 12KW or more, came into force on 4 January 2011.

This means that most air-conditioned spaces of over 2,000 square feet should now have an air-conditioning certificate.

The purpose of air conditioning inspections is to provide owners and operators with information on the performance of their air conditioning systems so that they can improve them and cut costs if they are using too much energy. For further information on this subject, refer to the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations SI 2007/991.

Storage of carbon dioxide

The Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Licensing etc.) (Scotland) Regulations SSI 2011/24 complete Scotland's implementation of Directive 2009/31/EC, on geologically storing carbon dioxide, which was done in part through the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Licensing etc.) Regulations SI 2010/2221.

In doing so, it establishes:

• requirements relating to licensing carbon dioxide storage;
• liabilities of the storage operator both during and after the active operation of the store.

The Regulations are made in accordance with the Energy Act 2008, which establishes a licensing regime for storing carbon dioxide in the offshore area, as well as prohibiting the storage of carbon dioxide except in accordance with a licence granted under that Act.

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Alex Attwood has welcomed figures which show that household and municipal waste collected by district councils between July and September 2011 fell by almost 5% compared to last year.

As a result, both the household and municipal recycling rates have climbed to almost 43% and 42% respectively, compared to the same period last year. These figures contain biodegradable material recovered via composting which is at its seasonal peak during this Summer period. The amount of both waste streams sent to landfill also decreased by around 10% compared to last year. This means that just over 54% of household and almost 56% of municipal waste was sent to landfill.

Mr Attwood said, "Not only is it common sense to minimise the amount of waste we produce to allow our councils to spend more money where it's needed most but from an environmental view less waste means less impact. Whilst the phrase Reduce Reuse Recycle has been around for many years now, it is the foundation of my Department's Rethink Waste campaign. I am also pleased to note the continuing increase in both the recycling rates and the decrease in waste sent to landfill and want to thank all those who are doing their bit. Together we will make a difference. The challenge for NI is - can we become a world leader in carbon reduction? Do we have the capacity to take our clean and green reputation to a new level? This is where we can go and this is where we should go. Today's figures give added impetus".

For more information, see:

• rethinkwasteni.org, which gives practical suggestions and advice on what more you can do;
• http://cedr.ec/27, for a list of available municipal waste reports.

Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), has been amended several times.

Annex 17, which sets out the restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of certain dangerous substances, mixtures and articles, has been amended by the following to add and remove various substances which are subject to restrictions:

• Regulation (EU) 207/2011;
• Regulation (EU) 366/2011.

Annex 14, which sets out the list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) subject to authorisation, has also been amended. Regulation (EU) 143/2011 adds six substances to that "candidate list".

Annex 13 which sets criteria for the identification of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances and very persistent and very bioaccumulative substances, has been replaced by Regulation (EU) 253/2011.

In addition, Annex 1, which sets provisions for assessing substances and preparing chemical safety reports, has been amended by Regulation (EU) 252/2011 to adapt it to the criteria for classification and other relevant provisions set out in Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.

Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 itself has been amended by Regulation (EU) 286/2011, in order to adapt its Annexes to the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Finally, Annex 1 to Regulation (EC) 689/2008, on the export and import of dangerous chemicals, has been amended by the following:

• Regulation (EU) 186/2011;
• Regulation (EU) 214/2011.

These amendments are the result of actions taken in respect of certain chemicals in accordance with:

• Directive 91/414/EEC, on placing plant protection products on the market;
• Directive 98/8/EC, on placing biocidal products on the market;
• Regulation (EC) 1907/2006.

The publication of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations SI 2011/686. They amend the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations SI 1998/2573, by exempting the following from the requirement to hold employers' liability insurance:

• Auditor General for Wales;
• Electoral Commission;
• Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration;
• Health Service Commissioner for England;
• National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards;
• Public Services Ombudsman for Wales;
• Comptroller and Auditor General;
• Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

Regulation (EU) 305/2011, sets out new conditions for marketing construction products by establishing harmonised rules on how to express their performance in relation to their essential characteristics. It also deals with the use of CE marking on those products.

Member State rules require that construction works be designed and carried out in a manner that does not endanger the safety of people, domestic animals or property, or damage the environment. Those rules have a direct influence on the requirements of construction products. Those requirements are reflected in national product standards, national technical approvals and other national technical specifications and provisions related to construction products.

Directive 89/106/EEC, on the same subject, previously made provision for this. However, this has been replaced by Regulation (EU) 305/2011, in order to simplify the existing framework and improve the transparency and effectiveness of existing measures.