Complexities of Environmental Laws Compliance
Today, people and governments are fully aware that regulating exploitation of the earth’s natural resources, and making sure related activities do not cause harm to human, plant and animal life/health is critical to man’s survival. Pollution and release of toxins; deforestation and loss of soil cover; siltation of water courses, generation of solid waste; depletion of the ozone layer; extinction of flora and fauna; introduction of non-endemic organisms that upset ecologically-sensitive areas – are but some of the environmental concerns man has to contend with.
Environmental protection and management imperatives are enacted into law in most nations. These laws contain implementing rules and regulations for the conduct of human activities that impact on the environment. Guidelines and procedures are usually provided to ensure compliance to these regulations, as well as the monitoring of such compliance. These guidelines also outline violations and the associated penalties.
In most countries, an environmental compliance certificate is required before a company can set up or develop any facility required for the company’s business operations. The relevant governing body or agency must issue such certification consistent with other construction-related or industry-specific permits (e.g., building permit, mining permit) before any development work can commence. Voluminous checklists and documents are usually required to be submitted for environmental compliance. Applicants for environmental compliance permits need to verify necessary submissions with the relevant authority. Correspondingly, approving authorities adopt various systems to register, evaluate, approve (or reject) compliance applications.
These systems also provide a means for regulatory bodies to manage the monitoring and/or inspection of approved business operations (in relation to observance of conditions stipulated in the environmental clearance permits). The checklists and procedures for carrying out audits or inspections, including required laboratory or in-situ testing, as well as the rating benchmarks to be met are part of these systems. Environment management programs both outline self-regulating activities of the organization and validation methods of the relevant regulating body. These programs detail performance monitoring points; data gathering requirements; calculation and analyses methods; as well as schedule and frequency of performance monitoring.
Environmental compliance management systems also outline the remedial measures that may be taken in the event of any unfavorable performance audit results. Most mitigation measures are industry related, which could include remediation or treatment processes, installation of pollution control devices, or improvements to production methods that eliminate or prevent release harmful substances into the environment.
Even the closure or cessation of a business endeavor is covered by strict provisions for the prevention of leakage of toxic substances or the damage to surrounding terrain, with the company required to restore sites to pre-operation conditions within acceptable parameters. This is common to electric generation plants or chemical production factories decommissioning as well as demolition of real estate structures. Compliance systems provide regulating agencies the ability to monitor these activities.
If You Think You Get Laws, Then This Might Change Your Mind
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