Civil sanctions for environmental offences
The Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England (NA) now have powers to issue civil sanctions for environmental breaches.
From January 2011 companies and individuals who commit minor environmental offences could avoid criminal conviction by accepting one of a range of civil penalties which the EA and NA have at their disposal.
The Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (RESA) provides these regulators with a suite of alternative sanctions for regulatory non compliance which avoids lengthy and costly criminal litigation. The EA and NA are the first to be granted these powers although the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are considering how civil sanctions could be used to regulate health and safety compliance.
To arrange a discussion with a health, safety and environment solicitor click here or call us on 0800 840 4929.
