Feedback on COMAH
29 May 2012
UK Chemicals sector companies have until June 15 to feed in their experiences of working with national regulators and local authorities on the enforcement of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations. The government wants to use evidence gathered from businesses involved in chemicals, either manufacturing or storage, to improve enforcement and compliance.
Respondees can input their views through the Focus On Enforcement website, and there is also an option to post comments on an anonymous basis.
Business And Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: "Focus On Enforcement will give businesses in the chemicals sector the chance to make a real difference to the way compliance and protection is achieved on COMAH sites, shaping how companies can best work with regulators in a successful and cost-effective way.
"I want companies in this area of business, and those that advise and assist them, to visit the website, to tell us their views and suggest how we might reduce enforcement burdens and share best practice. This is your chance to make a real difference to the way these regulations are enforced."
Welcoming the review, Peter Newport, chief executive of the Chemical Business Association, said: "Moving towards smarter enforcement follows naturally from policies designed to develop smarter regulation. We are keen to see the review explore how the burden and costs of regulatory compliance can be reduced.
"We are also keen to see progress towards formal earned recognition for COMAH sites that supplement regulatory requirements through established industry standards – an approach which could deliver significant operational savings both for business and for the regulatory authorities concerned."
This aspect of the chemicals sector was chosen for review because it was raised as a priority during the Government's consultation on enforcement launched in June last year.
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