What changes are being made to my organisation’s energy obligations?What is the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (“ESOS”)?
The EU Energy Efficiency Directive requires Member States to introduce requirements for “large undertakings” to carry out an energy audit to identify ways to reduce energy consumption. Here in the UK, it has been implemented through the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014 – “ESOS”. A “large undertaking” is one with 250 or more employees or which has a turnover of €50 million and a balance sheet exceeding €43 million.
When should organisations that qualify for ESOS submit a notification of compliance?
Organisations that qualify for the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (“ESOS”) must submit a notification of compliance (including compliance report) to the Environment Agency (“EA”) by 5 December 2019 in relation to Phase 2 of the scheme (6 December 2015 to 5 December 2019). Whilst the EA appeared to take a light touch approach to enforcement for Phase 1 of the scheme, it is expected that for Phase 2, a tougher line to enforcement will be taken.
What continuing obligations do CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (“CRC”) participants have?
In the March 2016 budget, the government announced that the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (“CRC”) would close from 31 March 2019 (being the end of the phase 2 compliance year).
Although the Scheme has been abolished, CRC participants have ongoing obligations that they must comply with, namely, submitting an annual report for the 2018/19 compliance year by the 31 July 2019, ordering allowances between 1 June 2019 and 31 July 2019, paying for these allowances between 2 and 19 September 2019 and surrendering sufficient allowances by 31 October 2019. Additionally, participants must continue to update contact details in the CRC registry until 31 March 2022 and maintain an evidence pack until 31 March 2025. Regulators will continue to carry out compliance audits after April 2019.
What reporting requirements do participants have under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Framework (“SECR”)?
Although not a direct replacement for CRC, CRC participants may be subject to similar energy reporting requirements under the new Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (“SECR”) Framework which applies in respect of financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2019. The regime requires additional reporting on GHG emissions, total global energy use and information relating to energy efficiency action by UK quoted companies, large unquoted companies and large limited liability partnerships. This information is to be included in the relevant companies’ Directors’ Reports disclosed at Companies House.
For the purposes of qualification for the SECR, “large” means companies that meet two or more of the following criteria in the relevant year: at least 250 employees, annual turnover greater than £36M and/or an annual balance sheet total greater than £18M. There are however smoothing provisions that apply where a company crosses over one of the thresholds. There are also limited exemptions relating to low energy use and circumstances where making such reports is not practical or would prejudice the company or LLP’s interests.
What changes have been made to the EU Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive 2011 (“RoHS”)?
On 22 July 2019, amendments to the EU RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment) Directive 2011 came into force meaning that RoHS now applies to all electrical and electronic goods unless a specific exemption applies. Under this legislation, placing on the EU market of electrical and electronic equipment (“EEE”) that contains certain hazardous substances above certain concentrations is prohibited. From 22 July 2019 this prohibition was extended to include four additional substances (Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Benzyl butyl phthalate, Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
Manufacturers, authorised representatives, importers and distributors of EEE will need to ensure they are compliant with their obligations under the legislation and consider the impact of this amendment to their stock and wider supply chain.
From 1 October 2019 tranche A generators in England and Wales with a thermal input above 5MWth and less than 50MWth with emission levels of nitrogen oxides of 500mg/NM3 or above and which operate for more than 50 operating hours a year will require a permit in line with the requirements of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (“MCPD”).
In line with the EA’s regulatory position statement (RPS 219), the EA will determine and issue permits for tranche B specified generators that meet the conditions of the RPS by 31 August 2019.
What impact would a no-deal Brexit have on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme?
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would cease to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The government has therefore proposed a tax on carbon dioxide emissions (through the Finance Act 2019) produced by UK stationary installations currently participating in the EU ETS. This tax will only apply in a no-deal scenario.
The tax was originally due to apply from 1 April 2019, with the first tax period ending on 31 December 2019. However, following the extension of the UK’s exit from the EU to 12 April 2019, the former date was changed to 15 April 2019 and with the further extension of the UK’s exit until 31 October 2019 that date is now expected to be not before 1 November 2019. The first payment would be due in 2020. HMRC is currently working on a technical document setting out more details on how the tax would operate. A consultation will take place during 2019 on the detailed provisions to inform a statutory instrument(s) that would be issued in early 2020.
On 22 October 2018, Defra published a consultation on banning plastic straws, stirrers and plastic stemmed cotton buds in England. The consultation outcome was published on 22 May 2019 with bans on the supply of plastic drinking straws, plastic stemmed cotton buds and plastic drink stirrers expected to enter into force in England from April 2020. Limited exceptions will be in place relating to accessibility, medical uses and scientific research.
In line with the government’s waste and resource strategy published in December 2018, there are a number of consultations, government responses and legislative developments timetabled for 2019 and beyond:
Whilst on the subject of environmental affecting human resources in terms of risk of errors exacerbated by fatigue that brings us to the missed element above, Facilities Management and control of work and day-lighting also directly linked to over-exposure to sub-optimal display screen interface ergonomics and visual repetitive stress injuries / CVS and Asthenopia although, not the topic today fatigue and risk of myopic visual disruptions are.