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Appendix Annex II GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES

United Kingdom

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

1.

In selecting for individual cases the most appropriate combination of measures which may constitute the best environmental practice, the following graduated range of measures should be considered:

  1. (a)

    provision of information and education to the public and to users about the environmental consequences of the choice of particular activities and products, their use and ultimate disposal;

  2. (b)

    the development and application of codes of good environmental practice which cover all aspects of the product's life;

  3. (c)

    labels informing users of environmental risks related to a product, its use and ultimate disposal;

  4. (d)

    collection and disposal systems available to the public;

  5. (e)

    recycling, recovery and reuse;

  6. (f)

    application of economic instruments to activities, products or groups of products;

  7. (g)

    a system of licensing, which involves a range of restrictions or a ban.

2.

In determining what combination of measures constitute best environmental practices, in general or in indivudual cases, particular consideration should be given to:

  1. (a)

    the environmental hazard of:

    1. (i)

      the product;

    2. (ii)

      the product's production;

    3. (iii)

      the product's use;

    4. (iv)

      the product's ultimate disposal;

  2. (b)

    substitution by less polluting processes or substances;

  3. (c)

    scale of use;

  4. (d)

    potential environmental benefit or penalty of substitute materials or activities;

  5. (e)

    advances and changes in scientific knowledge and understanding;

  6. (f)

    time limits for implementation;

  7. (g)

    social and economic implications.

3.

It therefore follows that best environmental practices for a particular source sill change with time in the light of technological advances, economic and social factors, as well as in the light of changes in scientific knowledge and understanding.