- Red Tape Challenge sticker
On 19 March 2012, Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has published its long-awaited and hotly anticipated review of environmental legislation as part of the “Red Tape Challenge” to reduce the burden on businesses.
The Environment Theme has been open for comment on the Cabinet Office website since April 2011, with a ‘spotlight’ period in September 2011.
Of 255 regulations, 132 will be improved, mainly through simplification or consolidation; 70 will be kept as they are, to uphold important environmental protections; and 53 obsolete regulations will be removed.
There will also be a new drive to introduce smarter implementation on the ground, such a quick and easy electronic recording system for Waste Transfer Notes to be introduced from January 2014 which will do away with unnecessary admin, saving businesses at least £5million per year.
A copy of the Red Tape Challenge – Environment Theme proposals document can be found at http://bit.ly/xofAHh