Grosvenor PERN accreditation reinstated after suspension

That is the message from the Environment Agency after it had suspended the Kent-based recycling company's accreditation to issue packaging waste export recovery notes (PERNs) for a period of time recently.

The Agency confirmed today that Grosvenor's accreditation has now been re-instated for paper and plastics.

A spokeswoman said: “Accreditation for Grosvenor to issue PERNs has now been reinstated for both paper and plastics after the company's accreditation was suspended last month. If compliance schemes or producers hold PERNs issued by Grosvenor they will be acceptable towards obligations.”

The Agency was unable to comment on the exact nature reason for Grosvenor's accreditation suspension, but the spokeswoman noted there were “problems with paperwork”.

Audit
Grosvenor runs one of the largest sorting facilities for recyclable materials in the UK at its site in Erith, Kent, processing about 400,000 tonnes of material each year.

The company said today it has now completed a “most rigorous audit” of its PERN system and documentation, “conducted by Defra and the Environment Agency”.

In a statement issued today, Grosvenor said it “was and remains an accredited exporter able to issue PERNs for plastic and paper that it handles”.

Managing director John Viviani said: “The results of this most rigorous audit shows that Grosvenor has in place all the necessary tracking procedures required by Defra and the Environment Agency, following their 100% audit of all exports. Grosvenor retains its export accreditation and full approval to issue certificates for packaging material that it exports for recycling.

“We will continue in our role as a proactive industry leader by working with the Environment Agency to develop the 2007 requirements and implement them in early 2006. These new and much tougher procedures should be seen as a welcome challenge to the industry and should help further satisfy the public that material sent overseas for recycling is recycled to standards expected throughout Europe,” Mr Viviani added.