Glossary

Eco-Management and Audit Scheme  (EMAS)

EMAS is a voluntary standard that businesses can apply for, which demonstrates that they have gone beyond minimum legal compliance and are continually improving their environmental performance. Businesses regularly produce a public environmental statement that reports on their environmental performance.

Ecolabel

An Ecolabel is awarded to products that meet strict criteria to prove that they minimise their impact on the environment. The Ecolabel is a voluntary European instrument to encourage the development of greener products.

Emissions trading

Emissions trading is a type of economic instrument that allows participants to buy and sell allowances in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the most cost-efficient manner. Some energy-intensive businesses are required to participate in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

Enforcement notices

Enforcement notices are issued by the environmental regulator if breach of a permit or consent has occurred, or is likely to occur.

Enhanced capital allowance

A tax break that allows you to write off the whole cost of certain energy-efficient and water-efficient equipment and low-emission vehicles against your taxable profits in the year of purchase.

Environment Agency  (EA)

The Environment Agency is the main regulatory and enforcement authority for environmental matters in England and Wales. It is responsible for matters concerning waste regulation, water quality including pollution prevention and regulating the emissions from most large industrial and manufacturing processes.

Environmental Health Officer  (EHO)

EHOs are the officers who undertake the duties of the enforcement authority (local authorities) responsible for health and safety for some premises including offices, retail premises, food premises, exhibition premises and some warehousing. EHOs also have environmental responsibilities such as dealing with air pollution problems and noise nuisance.

Environmental Impact Assessment  (EIA)

EIA is part of the planning process and is used to take into account environmental considerations for larger proposed developments, including various types of construction and engineering projects.

Environmental Management System  (EMS)

An EMS helps a business to assess and manage its impact on the environment.

Environmental permitting

Environmental permitting applies an integrated approach to the environmental management of certain businesses. It covers emissions to air, land and water, noise and vibration, energy efficiency, waste minimisation, environmental accidents and site protection. Environmental permitting replaced IPPC in England and Wales. IPPC still applies in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

European Waste Catalogue

The European Waste Catalogue has been produced by the European Union to allow those dealing with waste to identify it accurately. It is used in duty of care for waste documentation. The catalogue also identifies wastes that should be classified as hazardous.