Upload
geoffrey-berry
View
213
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
19 apr 2023
An overview of the EID’s initiatives, with a focus on transfrontier shipments of waste
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
2
The EID is a division within the Department of Environment, Nature and Energy (LNE)
Vertical Structure:•Head of Division – Robert Baert (Brussels)•Central Service (Brussels) •Supervision of “Severe Risk” companies Service (Brussels)•Local Services (5 provinces)
Supplementary horizontal structure: working groups on air, water, soil and groundwater, noise, waste (incl. TFS), genetically modified organisms (gmo), IPPC
Environmental Inspectorate Division - organisation
HD
ANT LIM EFL WFL FBR
CS SR
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
3
The EID is solely competent for the enforcement of the Flemish environmental health legislation
The EID does NOT deal with:• the permitting process• infringements of the legislation on land use or
spatial planning• infringements of the legislation on
nature/forest/… management• police regulations• internal security in companies• direct intervention in policy making
EID – tasks & competences
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
4
• Municipalities• Environmental agencies, e.g. OVAM• On food chain safety• On severe risk companies• Other Belgian regions• Judicial authorities• Waste shipments
EID – Cooperation at national level
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
5
First line supervision in the Flemish region:•Category 1 facilities: EID•Category 2 and 3 facilities: municipalities
Current situation: cooperation agreement between the Flemish Region and the municipalities (2008-2013) as an incentive for enforcement by municipal inspectors.
EID maintains regular contacts with the municipal inspectors. EID offers the necessary support if requested in the solution of problem cases.
Current situ
EID – cooperation with municipalities
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
6
May 2006: the task of enforcing waste shipments was transferred from OVAM to EID.
Enforcement powers on waste shipments:•EID: very broad, including all waste related legislation in the Flemish region•OVAM: restricted to take-back systems, household waste, ship waste, …
Division of tasks: collaboration protocol between EID and OVAM on enforcement tasks, exchange of information, …
EID – cooperation with agencies / OVAM
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
7
Animal By-Products Committee: established in 2006 to monitor the proper implementation of the agreement on animal by-products.
Members: •Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain•FPS Public Health, Safety of the Food Chain and Environment•Flemish Region: OVAM – VLM - EID•Walloon Region: DPC – SDS•Brussels C. Region: Leefmilieu Brussel
EID – cooperation on Food Chain Safety
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
8
June 21st 1999: Cooperation Agreement on the prevention of serious accidents (SEVESO inspections)
Inspection teams made up of:•Regional environmental inspectorate (EID)•FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (WASO) – Division for the Supervision of Chemical Hazards
EID – inspection of severe risk companies
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
9
Example of the cross-regional odor problem in Rollegem (Kortrijk – FL) caused by an industrial estate situated in the north of Mouscron in Wallonia (since 2004).
EID determined the impact of the odor in Rollegem, and the DPE took targeted actions on the basis of these results.
The impact of the odor after remediation was evaluated through an environmental study and sniffing team measurements.
EID – cooperation with other Belgian regions
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
10
Consultation at the level of the judicial districts at the level of the EID local services:•To achieve a more efficient follow-up inspection•To provide technical expertise•Specific dossiers as well as structured cooperation
Judicial trainees:•Apprenticeship to prepare an appointment to the magistracy•Training at the EID local services to learn about on-site inspections
EID – cooperation with the judicial authorities
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
11
Subject-matter input on existing or upcoming legislation: feedback from the reality in the field
Input on the enforceability of legislation:•VLAREM II (2007, 2008, 2011) – update of the Flemish legislation on facilities with environmental permit requirements•Implementation of the Mining Waste Directive 2006/21/EC•Implementation of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC
EID – participation in regulatory initiatives
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
12
EU Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law.
Established in 1992, registered in Belgium, with its legal seat and secretariat in Brussels.
EID participates in:•The General Assembly•Clusters:
o I: Permitting, Inspections & Enforcemento II: Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (TFS)o III: Better regulation
EID – International cooperation / IMPEL
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
13
INECE: International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
Dioxin: International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants
MJV: Mutual Joint Visits Programme on Inspections under the Seveso II Directive
ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) Forum: coordination of a network of MS authorities responsible for the enforcement of the REACH Regulation
EID – International cooperation / other
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
14
Overview:
(1)The Waste Shipment Regulation (“WSR”) (2)Enforcement in Belgium by competent authorities (“CA”) and other government bodies (3)Cooperation Agreement (“agreement”)
• (legal) background• Members• Content + examples
Cooperation for Transfrontier Shipments of Waste
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
15
Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste - applicable since 12 July 2007
Most remarkable obligations:•Notification for transport of hazardous waste•Traceability information on non-hazardous waste
Enforcement tasks, art. 50:•Inspection of facilities and shipments•Bilateral or multilateral cooperation
Waste Shipment Regulation
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
16
• 4 competent authorities• Flanders: OVAM & EID• Wallonia: DSD & DPC• Brussels C. Region: Leefmilieu Brussel• Belgian Federal State (waste transit):
FPS H-SFC-E - & FEI• Police: part of its general task, investigation• Customs: stop function during import/export• Others:
• Environmental inspectors at municipal level: particular enforcement powers
• Port captain services: safety in port areas
Enforcement of the WSR in Belgium
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
17
Jan 1st 1993: EU common market and fall of customs barriers surplus of customs officers
1993: 4th reform of the Belgian State •Competence on import and export is transferred from the federal state to the regions•Competence on transit of waste remains at the federal level
May 6th 1994 first WSR no 259/93 applies for transit of waste, only one competent authority per member state is allowed
Cooperation agreement - background
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
18
Special law of 08.08.1980, changed by special law of 16.07.1993: governments are compelled to cooperate on the matter of TFS
26.10.1994: cooperation agreement between the Belgian Federal State and the Regions on the coordination of policy regarding import, export and transit of waste•signed, but never passed the parliaments•transfer of database with notifications to regional level (OK)•financial settlement for the ex-customs agents (OK)•coordination group for inspections (NOK)
First cooperation agreement (1994)
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
19
February 2009: broadcast on Belgian national television on the export of WEEE to Africa, mentioning the port of Antwerp as a “turntable”
Hearing session in the Environment Committee of the Flemish Parliament Resolution 2176 of 30.04.2009:•Maximum cooperation between enforcers•Port authorities should take their responsibility•Participation in the INECE SESN•…
Incentive for an update of the cooperation agreement
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
20
2009: negotiations with the following partners:•All Belgian competent authorities•Police •Customs•Attorney General•Ministry of Justice
2010: adoption of the text by:•(extended) Interministerial Conference for the Environment•Federal and Flemish government
2011: signatories by all ministers
Update of the cooperation agreement (2009-…)
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
21
• Definition of the parties involved, and their tasks:
• Police• Customs• Competent authorities
• Scope: all inspections on TFS
• Principle of mutual support• Information exchange• Employment of ex-customs officers• Administrative handling of notifications• Formal collaboration with 3rd parties
• The coordination group and its specific tasks
WSR agreement - content
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
22
• Expertise in training on waste shipment related topics
• Participation in each other’s technical trainings
• Set up of an 24/24 phone permanence for advice on and reporting of suspicious waste shipments
• Mutual technical support• Collaboration in the development of
supportive materials (guidelines, brochures, …)
• Physical participation in each other’s inspections
WSR agreement – principle of mutual support
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
23
• Set-up of a database with notifications, accessible for all inspection bodies
• Principle of free exchange of information, with the exception of data that are part of criminal files:
• operational information on ad hoc cases
• information for purpose of analysis• Set-up of a unique system for the gathering
and analysis of strategic information on illegal waste shipments
• Joint reporting to the European Commission
WSR agreement – information exchange
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
24
EID project P654: yearly analysis of customs declarations of waste export.(1)EID receives an extract of all Customs declarations related to waste in the previous year(2)Analysis: list of “suspicious” declarations for internal use + copy to Judicial Police(3)Inspection of the listed companies by EID(4)Feedback to:
• Customs: risk based inspection of future declarations
• Prosecutor: infringements
WSR agreement – information exchange / example
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
25
Developping procedures for the inspection of shipments, including:•execution of competences by different enforcement bodies•directing inspections to high risk waste streams
Examples:•standard reports from Customs to CA•procedures for inspection of WEEE at port terminals (in cooperation with port authorities)
WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 1
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
26
Developping procedures for detection and investigation of illegal shipments
e.g. risk-based detection of export shipments at Customs level
Developping procedures for prosecution of illegal shipments
e.g. in relation to the handling of simultaneous offenses against Customs regulations (non bis in idem)
WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 2
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
27
Input for regulatory initiatives
•Discussion on changes of and interpretation of regulations related to TFS enforcement
e.g. the continuous update of the annexes of the WSR
•Discussion on draft regulations on transit of waste
e.g. the current update of the Law of 9 July 1984 on the import, export and transit of waste
WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 3
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
28
• Harmonizing the administrative and judicial handling of different degrees of offenses against the WSR.
• Coordinating the exchange of information
e.g. CA’s advice on Customs AOC certificates
• Discussing the collaboration with third parties
WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 4
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
29
Members (appointed by their ministers):•4 CA (policy + enforcement)•Ministry of Internal Affairs (at least 1 Police)•Ministry of Justice•Attorney General•Customs
Operation:•At least 4 meetings per year•Rotating presidency•Internal regulations yet to be drafted
WSR agreement – structure of the cooperation group
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
30
Waste Project Antwerp:•initiative of the office of the public prosecutor in Antwerp•integrated approach to the problem of illegal waste export•members: public prosecutors of Antwerp and Dendermonde, and all enforcement bodies involved in the inspection of waste shipment in the port of Antwerp
Police-OVAM-FEI: regular evaluation of the collaboration on waste transport inspections
More national cooperation in the field of TFS
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
31
Activities:• “on site” inspection projects• procedures for inspections, harmonized
implementation of the law• Base Camp (blog)
Organisation:• approval of projects’ budget: IMPEL GA• Steering committee: working plan,
representation• National Contact Points• yearly conference: open to CA, police,
customs, judicial authorities
IMPEL – TFS (Cluster II)
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
32
• Enforcement actions project (2006-2011):• transport + company inspections during
limited inspection periods (EU-wide)• exchange of inspectors with other
member states• WEEE project (2009-2011): evaluating the
enforceability of the WEEE directive, using a tool developed by Cluster III
• ELV project (2006-2008): harmonizing inspections on the export of End-of-Life-Vehicles
• Waste Sites project (2011-2012): methods for administrative inspections at waste producing/recycling sites
EID participating in IMPEL – TFS projects
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
33
INECE (International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement):
• participation in international conferences• member of the Seaport Environmental
Security Network since 2010China and Hong Kong:
• frequent and standardized information requests on Chinese recycling facilities (application of WSR art. 49.2)
• visit by Chinese EPA in October 2010Surrounding member states:
• ad hoc, on specific cases• on the (technical) execution of inspections
More international cooperation in the field of TFS
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
34
Succes on TFS enforcement depends on:• detection of illegal cases• administrative & judicial follow-up of
illegal cases
Detection of illegal shipments depends highly on:
• good targetting• information exchange between CA and
other enforcement bodies
The results of cooperation on TFS
Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the
Environmental Inspectorate Division19 apr 2023
35
Thank you for your attention
Bart PalmansDepartment of Environment, Nature and EnergyEnvironmental inspectorate ServiceHead Service - Brussels