'Red tape' limits green initiatives

That is the finding from a recent report published by the manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, which has called for bolder government action on cutting the red tape from environmental legislation.

“Our report shows that manufacturers remain committed to addressing environmental and climate concerns, but are still having to wade through unnecessary levels of complexity and red tape in order to do so, which in too many cases is holding them back,” said Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF.

There is a real appetite in the sector for bolder reform that increases fairness, creates markets and improves the environment without damaging competitiveness, impeding innovation or creating barriers to trade, investment and efficiency

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF

The report indicates that manufacturers want to see the government go further in reforming legislation and streamlining data reporting, with 71% saying that cutting ‘green’ legislation in line with the ‘one in, two out’ policy was important to their business.

According to the EEF, there are at least 10 pieces of legislation affecting manufacturers on waste alone.

It said attempts to reform ‘green’ red tape had been ineffective because they focused on the UK, rather than the EU where the majority of legislation originates.

Fewer than one in ten respondents found that red tape culls conducted so far had saved them time or money, and 41% said that the government has not gone far enough in challenging the burden of environmental red tape.

“The previous government got off to a good start in identifying the roadblock caused by poor legislation and began to take steps to simplify the stock of guidance and legislation in this area,” said Scuoler.

“There is, however, a real appetite in the sector for bolder reform that increases fairness, creates markets and improves the environment without damaging competitiveness, impeding innovation or creating barriers to trade, investment and efficiency.”

Over a third of the manufacturers (37%) agreed that the government’s ‘green’ red tape challenge had been ineffective because of its UK focus.

In coming weeks, the Government will complete a consultation seeking views on how it might ease legislative burdens associated with waste regulation as part of its current focus on cutting the costs of regulation by £10 billion.

However, manufacturers say they are looking for bolder action, with almost three quarters (73%) wanting to see legislative reform of environmental and climate change policies.

Smaller companies were most likely to say they wanted to see ‘green’ legislation trimmed back, and sector-wise, this view was strongest held amongst companies working in rubber, chemicals and metals.