Business Left in the Dark on Environmental Rules

24 January 2006

Uncertainty over the Government's introduction of new environmental legislation in the UK in recent years has meant that some new rules have gone largely unacknowledged by the business community, a survey released today reveals. Lack of awareness of major new rules - such as the disposal of electronic goods and energy efficiency within buildings - is of serious concern, the Institute of Directors (IoD), which carried out the survey, said.

With 71% of company directors admitting to being uninformed about key environmental regulations - much of which stems from the EU - the IoD called on the UK Government to do more to notify businesses of their new responsibilities.

Miles Templeman, Director General of the IoD, said:

"The Government have a tendency to leave it too late when advising business on what is required of new environmental rules coming from Brussels. Recent examples have included the twice-delayed Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; the uncertainty about the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; and the fridge fiasco of a few years ago.

"It is all very well passing new and well-meaning laws but when small businesses, are expected to implement complex rules and guidelines then they need strong and clear advice from the civil servants and policy-makers who negotiated this stuff in the first place."

The findings of the survey were released during a seminar on business and the environment at the IoD's HQ in Central London earlier today. Representatives from business, Friends of the Earth and the European Commission also heard that over two thirds of UK boards do not receive regular reports on environmental issues; although, encouragingly, 76% of companies do have a policy on recycling.

Miles Templeman, added:

"The vast majority of businesses do not want to shy away from their environmental obligations, on the contrary they are fully aware of the role they can play on major issues like climate change. However, they do need help in meeting those obligations. We are doing all we can to brief our members on environmental policy but the Government has to do its bit by providing clear, unambiguous advice."