SETTING
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS:
THE ROYAL COMMISSION
LAUNCHES ITS 21st REPORT
Publishing its 21st Report Setting Environmental Standards on
7 October 1998, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution called
for a new approach to deciding environmental policies. Launching the Report,
the Chairman of the Royal Commission, Sir Tom Blundell, said:
"For environmental policies to be successful, people must have
confidence in the way they are being protected against risks."
The study was led by Sir John Houghton, who stepped down as Chairman
at the end of June. Explaining the Royal Commission's approach to the
study, Sir John said:
"There must be a more robust basis for setting environmental
standards. This must recognise that scientific assessments, and analyses
of technology, economics and risk, must inform policy decisions, but cannot
pre-empt them."
The Commission believes in an approach based on partnership rather than
confrontation; transparency and openness are crucial, and ways must be found
to maintain accountability and improve public trust.
The Royal Commission also published a summary
of the full report which can be viewed or downloaded (718 Kb file
size). Up to ten free copies of the summary can be obtained by writing
to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, 5-8 The Sanctuary,
London SW1P 3JS, or by telephone (020 7799 8970) or by e-mail to: enquiries@rcep.org.uk.
A charge will be made for bulk orders. Further details about the report's
launch can be found in the news release issued
on 7 October 1998, which includes a summary of the key conclusions. A
brief background to the study is below.
Follow this link to download the full text of
the report. Copies of the full report priced at £21.40 are avaliable
from The Stationary Office (Cm 4053, ISBN 0 10 140532
4), PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1 GN or by calling the Parliamentary hotline
(0845-7023474).
For other information, contact: enquiries@rcep.org.uk
Or use the On-line comments form
Background to the Royal Commission's study on environmental standards
In September 1995, the Commission announced in a news
release a study into whether a more consistent and robust basis can
be found for environmental standards.
Aimed at protecting human health and the natural and built environment,
numerical standards have been increasingly used over the past twenty years
to control the emission, exposure, intake and concentration of pollutants
in the environment. Many different national, European and global bodies
set standards, using a variety of approaches. The study is examining how
scientific, technical, economic and sociological information is utilised,
and ought to be utilised, in setting standards.
Written evidence was submitted by around 150 organisations and individuals.
The Commission's thinking was also aided by oral evidence sessions and
presentations and commissioned papers prepared
by independent experts. In the course of the study, the Commission made
thirteen visits to relevant bodies within and outside the UK.
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