Summary
Actions following a complaint regarding the Environment Agency's (EA) failure to regulate exports of waste tyres to India, in relation to the UK Waste Shipment Regulations 2006.
Outcomes
Assessment of the complaint and information provided by the EA and their internal review showed serious failures to comply with environmental law. The OEP concluded that the EA, as the competent authority, has obligations under Articles 49(2) and 36(1)(g) of the Waste Shipment Regulations to ensure that waste is not dispatched to a destination where they have reason to believe it will not be treated in an environmentally sound manner. Our assessment of the supporting information indicated that the EA may not have been taking the necessary steps to discharge these duties.
The EA has proposed a four phase action plan. We intend to monitor their progress.