QMS & EMS London

Global warming can still be limited to 2°C in 2100, but only if action is taken now to cut energy use and decarbonise electricity, say scientists. In the third part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) fifth assessment report, scientists argue that it remains possible and cost-effective to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to levels that are likely to limit temperature rise to 2°C at the end of the century.

Defra’s drive to cut ‘red tape’ and streamline guidance is already saving UK businesses £185 million a year, says government. The environment department has published its final plans for improving environment regulation, predicting that the reforms will now save companies £1.5 billion over the next five years, 50% more than environment secretary announced a year ago. In Defra: Better for business, the environment department outlines all of the 336 reforms resulting from the government’s red tape challenge, what has been achieved so far and a timetable for further changes. It states that 20% of proposed regulatory changes – scrapping, consolidating and “improving” environmental legislation – have already been made, saving firms a total of £185 million a year. A further 55% of the reforms are predicted to be completed by the end of the coalition’s parliamentary term, including amending the Producer Responsibility Regulations to exempt more small businesses and...

Electrically powered medical equipment will soon be subject to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2011/65/EU.

Harmonisation achievements in the Quality area include pivotal milestones such as the conduct of stability studies, defining relevant thresholds for impurities testing and a more flexible approach to pharmaceutical quality based on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) risk management.

IEMA's latest update on environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice including new online practice guidance for English planning authorities In March, the European parliament voted in favour of amendments to the revised EIA Directive (see pp.16–18). The final step is a vote by the council of ministers, which is expected this month. Under the timeframe agreed by MEPs and the European commission, member states have until spring 2017 to implement the revisions. If you missed the IEMA webinar on 18 March, which analysed the main changes to Directive 2011/92/EU, catch up at iema.net.