Environmental permitting: General binding rules (1)

General binding rules are intended to regulate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a standard set of environmental conditions. This new regulatory system will effectively seek that SMEs are compliant in the areas of waste management, storage of materials and chemicals, emissions to the atmosphere and effluent discharges. Guidance notes have also been formulated in order to assist and provide a better explanation of the environmental conditions specified in the GBRs. Operators have an obligation to understand and implement the requirements of the general binding rules.

These proposed regulations form part of a holistic environmental permitting system, which Mepa is introducing to achieve environmental standards of operation, either through specific permits or guidance regulations, in the different environmental sectors according to their level of risk.

Both the proposed GBRs and guidance notes are being made available on Mepa website www.mepa.org.mt/gbrs.

Comments may be sent to the Authority through e-mail address gbr@mepa.org.mt by not later than December 7, 2009.