1. Rebecca Tremain Senior Advisor Compliance – Future Regulation
Earned Recognition
Rebecca Tremain
Senior Advisor
Compliance – Future Regulation

2. Earned Recognition Recognise enhanced environmental performance
Reduced risk
Lighter regulatory touch
Voluntary

3. Earned Recognition Risk Regulatory Effort Management Systems
Permit compliance
Accreditation
Continuous improvement
Corporate Sustainability
Horizon scanning
Earned Recognition

4. Public Recognition Customer confidence Reputational benefits
Visible standard
Performance awards
Case studies

5. 3rd Party Assurance Delivering inspections through existing regimes
Reduction in regulatory burden

6. Examples of Earned Recognition
Crossrail
Food Standards Agency
Care quality commission
Ofsted

7. Farm Assurance Introduced in 2010 only EPR sector
Delivered via Red Tractor & Lion code assurance
74% of permit stock are in Assurance Scheme

8. Feedback so far…. Barrier to entry for SMEs
Recognise externally certified EMS
5 years no non-compliances is unrealistic
Recognition of positive improvements
Going above and beyond compliance is not in the Environment Agency’s remit

9. Our current proposals Gold e.g. EMAS Silver e.g. ISO 14001
Bronze e.g.BS8555
Public Recognition

10. Eligibility & Compliance obligation
Enhanced environmental performance
Accredited management system that meets regulatory guidance
Other requirements to form part of wider consultation
Self Assessment
Compliance obligations to be met
Operator to undertake self assessment of permit requirements
Self assessment to be defined
Communication
Operator to provide regulator with self assessment
Frequency still to be defined
3rd Party Audit
3rd party check veracity of communication between operator and regulator
3rd party audits to be provided to regulator

11. Benefits & Constraints
Greater autonomy
Efficiency
Reduction in EA contact
Costs
Cutting blue tape
Standards of inspection
Data sharing

12. What does industry want?
Reduction in fees?
Reduced regulatory burden?
Cheaper rates?
Public recognition?
Exclusive or open to the majority?
Other incentives?

13. Questions