The Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced that it intends to limit the application of certain civil sanctions by the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The changes will mean that civil sanctions can only be applied to companies with more than 250 employees.
However, enforcement undertakings, stop notices and compliance notices can be used regardless of the size of the company.
The concern is that small businesses would be disproportionately affected by regulatory action than larger companies who would be more able to legally challenge any sanctions applied.
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