The next step

To the Environment Agency's public register of enforcement actions

[Weblink]

Q&A - can we check enforcement action?

Q. We are about to appoint a builder to complete some refurbishment works on our premises. They seem to be on the ball with most things, but we have a nagging doubt about how they deal with oil and chemical storage. We’ve heard rumours that they have been prosecuted by the Environment Agency (EA) for causing ground pollution on one of their sites. Is there any way we can check this?

A. If you have doubts, it’s certainly worth investigating further before you finalise any appointment, as you can prevent potential compliance problems down the line.

Tip. The best option is to use the EA public register system (see The next step ). By simply entering the name of the contractor, you can identify whether they have faced enforcement action and for which offences.

Note. The system allows you to search for cautions, enforcement notices and court cases.

For a link to the Environment Agency’s public register of enforcement actions, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 12.09.08).