Pollution Prevention
For those tasked with maintaining environmental management systems whether certified to ISO 14001:2015 or not it is often difficult to find a resource that meets the needs of your organisation. Just what are the likely environmental aspects of your organisation that you should be concerned about and how might you best prepare to control any emergency situations that might arise? The UK regulators themselves provide some useful guidance and in particular we’d like to draw your attention to GPP1 produced jointly by the environmental regulators in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. England’s Environment Agency publishes similar guidance and where assed jointly with the requirements of current environmental legislation you can find guidance to help you manage your environmental responsibilities.
Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP1). This document is essential for businesses and organizations aiming to understand and implement good environmental practices to prevent pollution.
Key Points:
1. Introduction to Pollution Prevention:
o GPP1 provides a basic introduction to pollution prevention, emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment and complying with legal requirements.
2. Drainage Management:
o It highlights the significance of managing drainage systems to prevent dirty water from contaminating surface water drains.
3. On-Site Water Treatment:
o The guidance includes recommendations for on-site water treatment facilities to ensure that water discharged from sites meets environmental standards.
4. Safe Storage of Hazardous Materials:
o Proper storage of fuels, oils, chemicals, and other materials is crucial. GPP1 advises on planning storage areas, using suitable containers, and containing leaks and spills.
5. Legal Compliance:
o Following the guidelines helps businesses comply with environmental laws and reduces the likelihood of pollution incidents, which can result in criminal offences.
By adhering to the GPP1 guidelines, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a cleaner, safer environment. For more detailed information, you can visit the SEPA website or access the full GPP1 document on NetRegs.
Feel free to reach out to us here at QCS International if you have any questions or need further assistance!
QCS International provides a range of environmental consultancy services from implementation of management systems to audit, compliance evaluation and CQI IRCA Registered ISO 14001auditor training.
