Legislation overview
With a gross output of £65.7bn, the food and drink industry is one of the largest industry sectors in the UK and accounts for 17% of the UK's manufacturing GNP. Inevitably the industry's resource use and associated waste streams mean it has a significant environmental impact. Legislation in force in the UK seeks to control and reduce this environmental impact.
Resources covered by legislation include water, energy consumption, and raw materials efficiency. All solid, liquid and gaseous wastes are covered by waste legislation to some degree. This includes organic and biodegradable wastes, animal by-product wastes, wastewater, empty hazardous material drums, packaging waste and other solid waste.
Below is an overview of some of the most important legislation which directly affects the food and drink sector.
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (IPPC)
IPPC is the most significant piece of legislation to affect the food and drink sector in recent years, due to the wide scope and range of operations that are affected by it. More on IPPC...
The Animal By-Products Regulations
The Animal By-Products Regulations (ABPRs) apply controls on the use, treatment, handling and disposal of animal by-products (ABPs) and enforce the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002. The ABPRs require the approval of any premises that handle ABPs. They aim to control the risks, including disease, to both animals and the public. More on ABPRs...
Landfill Regulations
The Landfill Regulations aim to reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment during the lifecycle of landfill waste. They introduce a range of changes both to the operation of landfill sites and to the management of waste. The regulations are having a significant impact on all UK businesses, including the food and drink industry, as a result of the tightening up of the Waste Acceptance Criteria, and the banning of certain materials and liquids from landfill disposal. This in turn can mean rising costs for companies. General information about the Landfill Directive...
Hazardous Waste Regulations
The Hazardous Waste Regulations (HWR) are now fully in force in the UK, and can affect businesses that produce, handle, store, treat or dispose of substances classified as 'hazardous waste'. With the addition of 180 substances to the 'hazardous waste' classification, including certain wastes from food preparation and processing and animal by-products, the HWR can increase the costs associated with your waste treatment and disposal. General information on hazardous waste...
Climate Change Levy
The Climate Change Levy (CCL) is an environmental tax on energy supplies to industry, commerce, local administration and a number of other services. It does not apply at all to domestic energy supplies, but is likely to apply to a large proportion of organisations in the food and drink sector due to the high dependence on electricity and gas for processing activities, cooking, cleaning and temperature control. For help and advice on reducing your energy bill, please visit the Carbon Trust website.
Other resources:
Netregs website
Carbon Trust website