All change for technical competence

ESA and EU Skills have submitted a scheme for demonstrating operator competence for Government approval so it can be included in guidance accompanying the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). From April 2008, to obtain a permit, operators will be required to demonstrate technical competence through a Government approved scheme. Existing sites will be able to rely on current technically competent employees, but must migrate to an ‘approved scheme’ over two years. WAMITAB and CIWM have submitted another scheme for approval.

The ESA/EU Skills ‘Competence Management System’ (CMS) scheme recognises that today’s waste management industry has changed since Certificates of Technical Competence (COTCs) were first developed, with the sector now needing to demonstrate higher operational standards, a more skilled workforce, and greater use of independently audited management systems.

The CMS scheme reflects current recruitment, development and training within companies, and will provide a more flexible approach to ensure the right people with the right training and competencies are doing the right job at the right time. The approach will retain benefits of present arrangements but would offer operators and the regulator a more effective and efficient system of demonstrating competence. The scheme will enable operators to demonstrate technically competent management of licensed/permitted activities on the basis of both corporate competence and employees’ individual competence. It will allow operators to organise their resources more effectively. The scheme can also be adapted to suit all waste activities.

The scheme is in line with the Government’s and Environment Agency’s stated aspiration of risk based ‘Better Regulation’. Operator compliance monitoring and external auditing are intrinsic aspects of the scheme, and would allow more of the Agency’s inspection resources to be focussed where they are needed.

The scheme requires operators to prepare, implement and maintain a CMS externally certified as meeting an approved industry standard. Formal certification is achieved following initial successful assessment and subsequently maintained through regular audit by the Accredited Certification Body.

ENDS

Notes: This story is taken from the ESA pages of the 22 February edition of  Resource Management & Recovery, a fortnightly magazine for the waste management industry, includes in-depth features, news and a round-up from ESA's Policy Unit in each edition.

Further details