In an effort to improve regulatory compliance and general
awareness of the legal and technical conditions for the safe
management of hazardous wastes, the BC Environment Industry
Association, with support from Ministry of
Environment, has launched a two-stage Compliance Improvement
Project for key industry stakeholders.
The first stage of the Compliance Improvement Project involved the
development of a series of Fact Sheets broken down by sectors,
indicating in easy to read terms the information needed by
generators, transporters and processors of hazardous wastes to be
in full compliance with established regulations.
The second stage of the Project involved creation of a new
information portal dedicated to the hazardous waste management
community - www.hazwastebc.com - that
provides easy access to the above noted Fact Sheets, downloadable
forms, essential contact information, and links to other sources of
information.
The hazwastebc.com website is an educational resource for the all
companies, municipal authorities, employees and for anyone involved
with hazardous waste management in British Columbia.
Hazardous Wastes in B.C. are regulated
To reduce the risks associated with the generation, transportation
or processing of hazardous wastes, the provincial government has
established a variety of laws and regulations respecting the safe
management of hazardous materials.
Failure to meet these legal requirements can have significant
impacts not only for the environment, but also on a business'
reputation and finances. Penalties and fines for non-compliance
with the regulations can be significant, as can be the costs to
cleanup environmental spills and contamination.
The proper characterization and manifesting of hazardous wastes
are the responsibility of the waste generator, although carriers
and receivers of such materials also bear legal liabilities.
Penalties
Penalties for non-compliance with the Hazardous Waste Regulation
are listed in Part 10, Division 1 of the BC Environmental
Management Act. Anyone who commits a violation can be charged
- from the president of a company, right down to a person working
on the shop floor and if found guilty, they could be fined and/or
imprisoned!
A fine of up to $200,000 can be imposed for making untrue or
misleading statements on a Waste Manifest, while reckless disregard
for safety violations causing a risk of harm or death to other
persons, can result in fines of up to $3,000,000 and/or 3 years
imprisonment.
The second stage of the Project also involves a series of
workshops and round-table discussions to be held throughout the
province. Each session will allow waste generators,
transporters, processors, trade associations and other industry
participants the opportunity to present and/or provide valuable
first-hand information and feedback in an open forum.