frESH Law Horizons: Key Developments in UK and EU Environment, Safety and Health Law, Procedure and Policy

Our Environmental, Safety & Health team is pleased to share with you the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, frESH Law Horizons: Key Developments in UK & EU Environment, Safety and Health Law and Procedure; providing bite-size updates on EU and UK law, procedure and policy.

This month’s edition includes the following:

• Changes to COVID-19 regulations ahead of national lockdown and differing regulations in devolved administrations.
• Proposed changes to laws on using mobile phones while driving.
• Court of Appeal stays second prosecution on substantially the same facts.
• Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill 2020 and draft Code of Practice published.
• Court confirms that for indictable only matter, full credit of one-third for guilty plea only applies where a definite and irrevocable plea is indicated in the magistrates’ court.
• The trustees of the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) Foundation have published a Consultation Paper to assess demand for global sustainability standards.
• The Good Law Project announced that the government will review the Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs).
• A number of new or updated guidance documents have been issued relating to ESH regulation in Great Britain (GB) from 1 January 2021.
• Environment Agency (EA) issues new guidance on land contamination risk management (LCRM).
• The government responds to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) latest annual report.
• European Court of Justice (ECJ) rules on waste status of sewage sludge used for energy recovery.
• The EA has used powers to block access to land in Northumberland to prevent the illegal dumping and burning of waste.
• British Standards Institute (BSI) publishes its first standard for biodegradability of most littered form of plastic.
• The European Commission adopts a 2021 Work Programme and announces “Fit for 55 Package” of climate and energy initiatives.
• European Commission launches public consultation on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD).
• European Commission adopts Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), heralding the most significant changes to EU chemicals regulation in 15 years.
• The European Commission adopts new EU-wide deadlines for updates to REACH registrations.