Law Search

International

Environmental laws that come from Europe will continue to apply for the time being.

Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/EC: Deals with serious environmental incidents. Requires people and businesses that cause damage to prevent and remediate the harm. Applies to marine pollution incidents like oil spills if they damage protected habitats or species, or coastal waters.
Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC: Aims to achieve good environmental status in Europe’s seas by 2020. Requires member states to assess the state of their seas, set standards and introduce a programme of measures for achieving good environmental status.

Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009: Introduces a new framework for managing the many demands placed on the sea, improving marine conservation and opening up access for the public to the English coast. Key topics covered include marine planning, marine licences and marine conservation zones.
Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/810: Implement the Environmental Liability Directive in England.
Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Wales) Regulations 2009, SI 2009/995: Implement the Environmental Liability Directive in Wales.
Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/1394: Extend the liability regime in Wales to cover damage that significantly adversely affects the environmental status of marine waters.
Marine Strategy Regulations 2010, SI 2010/1627: Implement the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.