ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS AND RISK ASSESSMENTS

MPCEE drawing on its international experience can bring environmental solutions to grass roots business level, within the community, to prevent, reduce or mitigate the circumstances of a pollution incident.

The need for environmental consultancy is not always apparent. At times, It is regarded as an unnecessary expense, especially when a business and its operating and manufacturing procedures are running smoothly. This is the time when owners and managers should be looking for assistance as to how they can protect the environment and control pollution.

The requirements from current national and European legislation on organisations, businesses and individuals alike to protect the environment, have increased to the point that it is becoming difficult for them to keep abreast of changes in environmental legislation.

The numbers of pollution incidents are increasing and, therefore, it is all the more important to have undertaken environmental impact assessments and the associated environmental audits, of which the different types of investigation include:

• Investigations of the whole of a company's activities or operations;
• Investigations of specific activities or operations;
• Investigations of specific assets (e.g. prior to purchase, sale or development);
• Analysis of specific environmental risks to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework;
• Investigations of waste facilities;
• Risk assessment investigations;
• Waste minimisation strategies;
• Environmental impact assessment in connection with planning consents;
• Investigations as a preliminary to environmental impairment liability insurance; and
• Investigations designed to assist in the production of a corporate environmental policy statement (CEPS), and management system, as part of a company's green image.

The general objectives of an investigation, however, are also variable according to the company's circumstances and requirements, but will often include a combination (or even all) of the following considerations:

• Introducing a proactive approach to the management of environmental aspects of the business;
• The avoidance of criminal and civil liabilities and clean-up costs;
• Reporting to shareholders, bankers / lenders, insurers, employees and regulatory bodies;
• The enhancement of the company's image;
• To safeguard authorisations, permits, licences and insurance policies;
• To avoid disruption to production or trading arising out of environmental hazards and the extraordinary costs associated with it;
• The avoidance of the devaluation of assets due to contamination and to establish and maintain good relations with the local community and neighbouring residents.

There are two basic types of environmental investigation:

• The compliance investigation, to look at the whole business, and its operations and processes; and
• The transactional investigation, undertaken concerning specific transactions, such as purchase or disposal of assets, or funding arrangements.

Complex as it may seem, the number of prosecutions by the Environment Agency and local authorities is increasing. It is, therefore, important that your environmental protection and pollution control needs are addressed. MPCEE will assist you in fulfilling your legal and moral obligations towards making your immediate surrounding environment a much better place within the community.

Legislation Without Recrimination

---

For more information on the operations of MPCEE click on:

Selectapage