Better Regulation for a Better Environment

NIEA Better Regulation Programme

Environmental legislation has brought about significant improvements in environmental standards and quality of life. To work well, regulation needs to be clear, targeted and proportionate to ensure the required standards can be more readily achieved.  

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is committed to delivering simple and effective regulation which will provide greater protection for the environment.  We have embarked on an ambitious Better Regulation Programme: Better Regulation for a Better Environment(.PDF 745Kb) to modernise and simplify regulation for businesses through more accessible guidance; streamlined, risk-based permitting and inspections; and consistent and proportionate enforcement.

A Better Regulation Board has been set up to discuss regulatory issues and ways to improve the environmental compliance and performance of Northern Ireland’s businesses.

Key projects and targets for 2008/09

Northern Ireland Better Regulation Strategy & Annual Reports
UK Better Regulation Agenda

Better Regulation Review Panel report

NetRegs (www.netregs.gov.uk) provides guidance to small and medium-sized businesses on environmental regulations, managed through a partnership between NIEA, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

We invite comments on our approach from those we regulate and from our other stakeholders. This will help us adapt our approach and get better results.

Better Regulation Team - Email: BetterRegulation@doeni.gov.uk or Tel. 028 9056 9409.