NetRegs: Supporting businesses across Scotland and Northern Ireland
10 March 20 NetRegs
Businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland have a huge role to play in helping to deliver world-leading climate change action, not only by ensuring environmental compliance, which is non-negotiable, but going beyond compliance to achieve a low carbon and circular economy.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) runs NetRegs which provides free environmental guidance for businesses. This on-line resource contains information, guidance and tools to help businesses comply with environmental regulations and go beyond compliance.
Applications include:
- how to complete Duty of Care Waste Transfer Notes
- an E-Learning Course for European Waste Catalogue (EWC) Codes
- a practical self-assessment tool which helps check compliance, and highlights areas for improvement
As well as leading to improvements in environmental performance, financial benefits can also be realised, with small businesses estimating they save on average between £500 and £1000 per year, with larger companies saving considerably more.
Other key business benefits identified as a result of using NetRegs are:
- a reduction in operating costs
- a reduced risk of prosecution or fines
- improved customer relationships
- a more motivated and engaged workforce
Developing sustainable business practices or innovating across supply chains are examples of where businesses can voluntarily go ‘beyond compliance’ to help achieve new low carbon and circular economy business models. NetRegs also host a series of helpful good practice case studies, videos and an E-learning module which showcase examples of how businesses can achieve these goals.
Gillian Bruce, the manager of the NetRegs programme, has worked in the area of waste minimisation and resource efficiency for a number of years.
“NetRegs is a valuable resource for businesses across Scotland and Northern Ireland. It helps them maintain their compliance with environmental regulations and provides information and signposting to help them go beyond compliance. There is a growing cohort of businesses that have started this journey, and are reaping the environmental and financial benefits along the way.”
You can find a range of good practice examples of businesses who have gone beyond compliance in the video case study section of the NetRegs website.