Regulations

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• regulatory environment
• resources to help with regulatory compliance
• licensing and accreditation 
• did you know?

Being educated about environmental regulations helps you to manage risk in your business. Prosecution, penalties and a damaged reputation are unfavourable consequences resulting from breaching your environmental obligations.

With staff training, your workers will understand their professional responsibilities to protect your business from infringing environmental laws.

Regulatory environment

• A summary of NSW environmental legislation and compliance that affects all NSW businesses is available on the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) website
• DECC also has a specific website for those doing business in NSW
• In the near future, Australia will be implementing an emissions trading scheme. Find out more about the implications for business of Australia’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

Resources to help with regulatory compliance

• A tool to get you started on developing an environmental management plan
• A self help tool for cleaner production for small to medium enterprises

Licencing and Accreditation

Both the NSW and Commonwealth Government require tradespeople and other workers to have a license or accreditation to use or install particular equipment. The qualifications to be granted a licence are different from state to state. Licencing can be complex. Below are some of the licensing and accreditation issues that directly affect businesses working in environmental areas.

• Commonwealth Government green licensing requirements
• NSW Government green licensing requirements

Commonwealth Government

The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) requires tradespeople and other workers to hold specific licenses or accreditation to take part in these programs:

Photo Voltaics
The Commonwealth Governments Solar Credits scheme - the installer must be accredited for design and installation of photovoltaic systems by the Clean Energy Council. Specific information can be found in the Installing Renewables section.

Green Loans
This Commonwealth program provides Green Loans to assist families installing solar, water saving, and energy efficient products. Homes must be assessed by an accredited Green Loans Household Sustainability Assessor who have completed specified training.

Home Insulation (from 1 July 2009)
The Homeowner Insulation Program requires assessment and installation  by qualified assessors and installers. There is a similar program for renters.

NSW Government

The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) administers the Protection of the Environment Operations Act which consolidates most licensing requirements for air, water and noise pollution, and waste management. Some activities require an Environment Protection License.

You can use the Business License Information Service application on the NSW Department of Fair Trading website to search for licences your business might need.

Did you know?

• A golf course was fined and ordered to pay EPA legal costs and the costs of two councils' clean up, as well as ordered to build a wash bay and publish a notice about the offence after illegally discharging chemicals. The total costs were $490,500. Environmental training for your staff can save your money and your reputation.
• A NSW council was fined $80,500 and ordered to pay legal costs of $194,000 for constructing a road through a sensitive wetland. An executive within the Council was fined $57,000 and required to pay the prosecutor's costs of $167,500. This prosecution of a government agency shows the risk of prosecution for breaches of environmental legislation applies to both the public and private sector.
• A toxic overflow from a liquid waste pit cost one Sydney copper manufacturer $28,000 in penalties and other costs. Environmental offences are bad for your bottom line and your reputation.