Data from the Scheme, which outlines how well permitted operators in Scotland have met the conditions of their licenses on an annual basis, shows that the number of operators assessed which achieved a rating of excellent, good or broadly compliant in 2014 fell to 88%.
It means that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has not met its target of 91% for overall compliance last year.
Introduced in 2009, the Compliance Assessment Scheme covers operators with Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Part A and Part B permits, Waste Management Licenses (WML), Controlled Activity Regulations (CAR) discharges and sites licensed under the Radioactive Substances Act (RSA).
Of the 5,305 licensed activities assessed in Scotland as part of the 2014 scheme, 3,876 (73%) were rated ‘excellent’, 726 (14%) as ‘good’ and 64 (1%) as ‘broadly compliant’.
However, the remaining activities were classed ‘at risk’ (268 or 5%), ‘poor’ (311 or 6%) and ‘very poor’ (60 or 1%).
According to SEPA, the 91% target it missed in 2014 was set out in its Annual Operating Plan and is “one of the most stringent compliance targets in Europe”.
Data quality
The regulator said that one of the primary issues found among non-compliance across various sectors arose from the quality and quantity of data return submitted by operators.
Also, for the first time the Scheme data includes 1,187 water resource licenses, which account for roughly 3% of the overall non-compliance figure for 2014. Had these licenses been included within the 2013 results, the overall compliance rate would have been 86%.
SEPA executive director, Calum MacDonald, said: “Ensuring compliance with our environmental licences sits firmly at the centre of our work to protect and improve the environment. Although the overall 88% compliance rate is welcome, I am obviously disappointed to see the overall compliance level decline during 2014. We are always seeking ways to improve the performance of those we regulate, and indeed our own performance as regulator, which is why we’ve set ourselves one of the most ambitious compliance targets in Europe.
“Non-compliance is not an option and several initiatives are currently ongoing which aim to drive up compliance across each sector where ratings have been less than satisfactory.”
The Compliance Assessment Scheme is currently the focus of an ongoing consultation with the intention of making it more consistent and proportionate for regulated businesses. The consultation runs until November 12 2015.
Register for free to comment