Helping you see the bigger picture EHSsential: environmental, health and safety news (February 2020)

• United Kingdom

• Environment

17-02-2020

ENVIRONMENT

Long Awaited Environment Bill Back in Parliament

The UK Environment Bill seeks to deliver “the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth” by setting a “gold standard” for environmental protection. By allowing the UK to diverge from future EU environmental legislation, this, in theory, at least paves the way for the UK to exceed any standards set by the EU. Jane Southworth, Partner and Elodie Brière, Associate review some of the measures introduced by the Bill.

Read the full article here

Change is on the horizon for EPCs

Change is on the horizon for the EPC requirements on letting commercial properties under the MEES Regulations. This means that by 2030, a commercial property may require an EPC rating of a B or a C to be legally let. This follows the government’s consultation published in October 2019 on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for commercial properties under the MEES Regulations. The government believes that increasing the minimum EPC rating for lettings will drive property improvement with returns on investments for landlords and lower energy bills for tenants. Environmental lawyer, Rachael Tattersall provides guidance in this short video.

View the video here

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Handling the media following a health and safety incident

How the media covers an event can have lasting and potentially damaging effects on an organisation’s reputation; the key is to be prepared and to act proactively, quickly and decisively. Amy Sadro and Kara O’Neill provide guidance on how to proactively prepare for dealing with the media in this short article.

Read the full article here

FOOD SAFETY AND LABELLING

Exporting food from the UK to the EU – the impact of Brexit

What impact will Brexit have on the exportation of food from the UK to the EU? Senior Associate Natascha Gaut and Associate Prem Thakor provide further information in this short note.

Read the full article here

Allergens

In September 2019, the UK government introduced new legislation which will change the way in which food businesses are required to provide allergen information. The new legislation, which comes into force on 1 October 2021, requires food businesses to include full ingredient and allergen labelling on products that would have previously fallen into the pre-packaged for direct sale (“PPDS”) exemption. To reflect these legislative changes, the FSA has recently launched a consultation on proposed updates to its existing technical guidance.

For more information please click here

UPCOMING EVENTS / SEMINARS

Eversheds Sutherland's Health and Safety Summer School

SAVE THE DATE - 9 and 10 September 2020. Venue: Oxford University

Health and Safety Update Breakfast Briefing

This breakfast briefing is aimed at EHS professionals and aims to bring you up to speed with the latest changes to health and safety law including a review of the impact of the Election, Brexit and Grenfell and a look at key cases that impact upon your business. For more information please click here

Mental health at work - disclosure and adjustment

This mental health at work training course is aimed at EHS, HR and OH professionals responsible for wellbeing. Please click here for more information

Click here to access the EHS Website