The Environmental Liability (Scotland) Regulations 2009

Citation, commencement and extent S

1.  These Regulations—

(a) may be cited as the Environmental Liability (Scotland) Regulations 2009;

(b) come into force on the day after the day on which they are made; and

(c) extend to Scotland only.

Interpretation S

2.—(1) In these Regulations, except where the context otherwise requires—

“activity” means any activity carried out in the course of an economic activity, a business or an undertaking, irrespectively of its private or public, profit or non‑profit character;

“Directive 79/409/EEC” means Council Directive of 2nd April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds M1 ;

“Directive 92/43/EEC” means Council Directive of 21st May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora M2 ;

“Directive 2000/60/EC” means the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy M3 ;

“Directive 2001/18/EC” means the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12th March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms M4 ;

“enactment” has the meaning assigned to it in section 126(1) (interpretation) of the Scotland Act 1998 M5 ;

“environmental damage” means damage falling within regulation 4;

“genetically modified organisms” has the meaning assigned to it by Directive 2001/18/EC;

“protected species and natural habitats” means—

(a)

the species mentioned in Article 4(2) of Directive 79/409/EEC or listed in Annex I to that Directive or the species listed in Annexes II and IV to Directive 92/43/EEC; and

(b)

the habitats of species mentioned in Article 4(2) of Directive 79/409/EEC or listed in Annex I to that Directive or the habitats of species listed in Annex II to Directive 92/43/EEC or the natural habitats listed in Annex I to Directive 92/43/EEC and the breeding sites or resting places of the species listed in Annex IV to Directive 92/43/EEC;

“waters” means all waters which comprise “the water environment” within the meaning of section 3(2) of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 M6 .

(2) Unless otherwise defined in these Regulations, an expression used in Directive 2004/35/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21st April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage M7 has the same meaning in these Regulations as it has in that Directive.

(3) A reference in these Regulations to anything done in writing or produced in written form includes a reference to an electronic communication (as defined in section 15 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 M8 ) which has been recorded in written form and is capable of being reproduced in that form.

Marginal Citations

M1 O.J. No. L 103, 25.4.1979, p.1, as last amended by Council Directive 2008/102/EC (O.J. No. L 323, 3.12.2008, p.31).

M2 O.J. No. L 206, 22.7.1992, p.7, as last amended by Council Directive 2006/105/EC (O.J. No. L 363, 20.12.2006, p.368).

M3 O.J. No. L 327, 22.12.2000, p.1, as last amended by Directive 2008/105/EC (O.J. No. L 348, 24.12.2008, p.84).

M4 O.J. No. L 106, 17.4.2001, p.1, as last amended by Directive 2008/27/EC (O.J. No. L 81, 20.3.2008, p.45).

M5 1998 c.46.

M6 2003 asp 3 (“the 2003 Act”). Section 3(2) of the 2003 Act defines “the water environment” as meaning “all surface water, ground water and wetlands”. “Surface water”, “ground water” and “wetland” are defined, respectively in section 3(3), (4) and (5) of the 2003 Act, and associated definitions are also defined in that section.

M7 O.J. No. L 143, 30.4.2004, p.56, as amended by Directive 2006/21/EC (O.J. No. L 102, 11.4.2006, p.15).

M8 2000 c.7, section 15 was relevantly amended by paragraph 158 of Schedule 17 to the Communications Act 2003 (c.21).

References to community legislation S

3.  References in these Regulations to Community instruments are references to those instruments as amended from time to time.

Application S

4.—(1) Subject to regulation 5, these Regulations apply in relation to—

(a) damage to protected species and natural habitats if—

(i) it has significant adverse effects on reaching or maintaining the favourable conservation status of the protected species or natural habitat; and

(ii) it is caused by an activity listed in Schedule 1 or by the fault or negligence of an operator whilst carrying on any other activity;

(b) water damage, caused by an activity listed in Schedule 1, which is any damage that significantly adversely affects any or all of the—

(i) ecological status;

(ii) chemical status;

(iii) quantitative status;

(iv) ecological potential,

of the waters concerned with the exception of adverse effects where Article 4(7) of Directive 2000/60/EC applies;

(c) land damage, caused by an activity listed in Schedule 1, which is any land contamination that creates a significant risk of human health being adversely affected as a result of the direct or indirect introduction in, on, or under land of substances, preparations, organisms or micro-organisms.

(2) Paragraphs (3) to (5) apply in relation to assessing whether damage has significant adverse effects for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a)(i).

(3) The significance of any damage has to be assessed by reference to—

(a) the conservation status of the protected species or natural habitat at the time of the damage;

(b) the services provided by the amenities they produce; and

(c) their capacity for natural regeneration.

(4) Any damage is significant if it has a proven effect on human health.

(5) The significance of any effects has to be assessed with reference to the baseline condition with significant adverse changes thereto being determined by means of measurable data such as—

(a) the number of individuals, their density or the area covered;

(b) the role of the particular individuals or of the damaged area in relation to the species or to the habitat conservation and the rarity of the species or habitat (assessed at the relevant level whether local, regional or higher, including the European Community);

(c) the capacity of the species for propagation, its viability or the capacity of the habitat for natural regeneration;

(d) the capacity of the species or habitat to recover within a short time of the damage being caused to a condition which leads to its state at the time of the damage or better without any intervention other than increased protection measures.

Exemptions S

5.  These Regulations do not apply to—

(a) in relation to damage to protected species and natural habitats, previously identified adverse effects resulting from an act by an operator which was expressly authorised by the relevant authorities in accordance with provisions implementing Article 6(3) and (4) or Article 16 of Directive 92/43/EEC or Article 9 of Directive 79/409/EEC;

(b) environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage caused by—

(i) an act of armed conflict, hostilities, civil war or insurrection;

(ii) a natural phenomenon of exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; or

(iii) pollution of a diffuse character where it is not possible to establish a causal link between the damage and the activities of individual operators;

(c) environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage arising from an incident in respect of which liability or compensation falls within the scope of—

(i) the International Convention of 27th November 1992 on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage;

(ii) the International Convention of 27th November 1992 on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage M9 ; or

(iii) the International Convention of 23rd March 2001 on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage M10 ;

(d) radioactivity from an activity covered by the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community M11 or caused by an incident or activity in respect of which liability or compensation falls within the scope of the Paris Convention of 29th July 1960 on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy and the Brussels Supplementary Convention of 31st January 1963 M12 ;

(e) activities—

(i) the main purpose of which is to serve national defence or international security; or

(ii) the sole purpose of which is to protect from natural disasters;

(f) damage caused by an emission, event or incident that took place before the coming into force of these Regulations;

(g) damage caused by an emission, event or incident that occurs after the coming into force of these Regulations which results from a specific activity that took place and finished before that date;

(h) damage resulting from the release of genetically modified organisms if more than 75 years have passed since the release; or

(i) damage not falling within paragraph (h) if more than 30 years have passed since the emission, event or incident occurred which resulted in the damage.

Marginal Citations

M9 Both these conventions were implemented by Part VI, Chapters III and IV of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 c.21.

M10 Implemented in the Merchant Shipping Act by amendments made to that Act by the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) (Bunkers Convention) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1244).

M11 A consolidated version of the Treaty can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/index.htm.

M12 Copies of these can be found at www.nea.fr/.

Other legislation S

6.  These Regulations are without prejudice to—

(a) the right of any responsible operator to limit liability in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 M13 ; and

(b) any other enactment concerning damage to the environment.

Marginal Citations

M13 The Convention is set out in Schedule 7 to the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, c.21.

Competent authority S

7.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations, the competent authority in relation to instances of environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage—

(a) to protected species or natural habitats in the territorial sea or coastal water (within the meaning of section 3(8) of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003), is the Scottish Ministers;

(b) to protected species or natural habitats in any other place, is Scottish Natural Heritage; and

(c) to waters or land, is the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

(2) In relation to environmental damage of the type defined in regulation 4(1)(a), the competent authority shall decide whether or not the damage has occurred or will occur as a result of the fault or negligence of an operator.

(3) Where—

(a) more than one instance of environmental damage has occurred; and

(b) the competent authority is unable to ensure the remedial measures are taken at the same time,

the competent authority shall determine which instance of environmental damage is to be remedied first.

(4) When determining which incidence of environmental damage is to be remedied first for the purposes of paragraph (3), the competent authority shall have regard to the following matters—

(a) the nature, extent and gravity of the instances of environmental damage concerned;

(b) the possibility of natural recovery; and

(c) any risk to human health.

(5) Before making a determination under paragraph (3), the competent authority shall, if practicable, consult—

(a) any interested person (as defined in regulation 14(1)); and

(b) the owner or occupier of the land upon which, or any waters in respect of which, remedial measures are to be taken.

(6) A person consulted under paragraph (5) may make representations to the competent authority within such time limit as specified by the authority to the person and the competent authority shall take into account any representations in making its determination.

(7) Any decision taken by a competent authority under these Regulations which imposes requirements as to preventive or remedial measures on an operator shall—

(a) be notified to the relevant operator;

(b) state the grounds on which it is based; and

(c) advise the operator of any available appeal and any time limit to which such an appeal is subject.

Assistance by public bodies S

8.—(1) A competent authority may impose a requirement on a public body to take preventive or remedial measures under these Regulations where it appears to the competent authority that—

(a) those measures need to be taken as a matter of urgency; and

(b) the public body is better able than the competent authority to take the measures.

(2) A public body must comply with a requirement imposed under paragraph (1).

(3) The costs of a public body in complying with a requirement under paragraph (1) are to be met by the competent authority which imposed the requirement.

(4) When requested to do so, a public body must provide a competent authority with any advice or information which that body is able to give which would assist the competent authority in carrying out its functions under these Regulations.

(5) Any decision taken by a competent authority under paragraph (1) shall—

(a) be notified to the relevant public body; and

(b) state the grounds on which it is based.

Powers of entry and inspection S

9.—(1) Any person authorised in writing by a competent authority for the purpose of carrying out its functions under these Regulations may exercise the powers specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The powers which an authorised person may exercise under paragraph (1) are—

(a) to enter at any reasonable time (or, in an emergency, at any time and, if need be, by force) any premises which the person has reason to believe it is necessary to enter;

(b) on entering any premises by virtue of sub‑paragraph (a), to—

(i) be accompanied by any other person duly authorised by the competent authority and, if the authorised person has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of the duty, a constable; and

(ii) have any equipment or materials required for any purpose for which the power of entry is being exercised;

(c) to make such examination and investigation as may in any circumstances be necessary;

(d) as regards any premises which the person has power to enter, to direct that those premises or any part of them, or anything in them, shall be left undisturbed (whether generally or in particular respects) for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of any examination or investigation under sub‑paragraph (c);

(e) to take such measurements and photographs and make such recordings as the person considers necessary for the purpose of any examination or investigation under sub‑paragraph (c);

(f) to take samples, or cause samples to be taken, of any articles or substances found in or on any premises which the person has power to enter, and of the air, water or land in, on, or in the vicinity of, the premises;

(g) in the case of any article or substance found in or on any premises which the person has power to enter, to cause it to be dismantled or subjected to any process or test (but not so as to damage or destroy it, unless that is necessary);

(h) in the case of any such article or substance as is mentioned in sub‑paragraph (g), to take possession of it and detain it for so long as is necessary for all or any of the following purposes—

(i) to examine it, or cause it to be examined, and to do, or cause to be done, to it anything which there is power to do under that sub-paragraph;

(ii) to ensure that it is not tampered with before examination of it is completed;

(iii) to ensure that it is available for use as evidence in any proceedings for an offence under these Regulations;

(i) to require any person whom the authorised person has reasonable cause to believe to be able to give any information relevant to any examination or investigation under sub‑paragraph (c) to answer (in the absence of persons other than a person nominated by that person to be present and any persons whom the authorised person may allow to be present) such questions as the authorised person thinks fit to ask and to sign a declaration of the truth of the answers;

(j) to require the production of, or where the information is recorded in computerised form, the furnishing of extracts from, any records which it is necessary for the person to see for the purposes of an examination or investigation under sub‑paragraph (c) and to inspect and take copies of, or of any entry in, the records;

(k) in order to determine whether any provision of these Regulations has been complied with—

(i) to carry out experimental borings or other works on the premises; and

(ii) to install, keep or maintain monitoring and other apparatus on the premises;

(l) to require any person to afford such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things within that person's control or in relation to which that person has responsibilities as are necessary to enable the authorised person to exercise any of the powers conferred by this regulation.

(3) Except in an emergency, in any case where it is proposed to enter any premises used for residential purposes, or to take heavy equipment on to any premises which are to be entered, any entry by virtue of this regulation shall only be effected—

(a) after the expiration of at least seven days' notice of the proposed entry given to a person who appears to the authorised person in question to be in occupation of the premises in question; and

(b) either—

(i) with the consent of a person who is in occupation of those premises; or

(ii) under the authority of a warrant by virtue of Schedule 2.

(4) Except in an emergency, where an authorised person proposes to enter any premises and—

(a) entry has been refused and that person apprehends on reasonable grounds that the use of force may be necessary to effect entry; or

(b) that person apprehends on reasonable grounds that entry is likely to be refused and that the use of force may be necessary to effect entry,

any entry on to those premises by virtue of this regulation shall only be effected under the authority of a warrant by virtue of Schedule 2.

(5) An authorised person who proposes to exercise the power conferred by paragraph (2)(g) in the case of an article or substance found on any premises, shall, if so requested by a person who at the time is present on and has responsibilities in relation to those premises, cause anything which is to be done by virtue of that power to be done in the presence of that person.

(6) Before exercising the power conferred by paragraph (2)(g) in the case of any article or substance, an authorised person shall consult—

(a) such persons having duties on the premises where the article or substance is to be dismantled or subjected to the process or test; and

(b) such other persons,

as appear to the authorised person appropriate for the purpose of ascertaining what dangers, if any, there may be in doing anything which that person proposes to do or cause to be done under the power.

(7) No answer given by a person in pursuance of a requirement imposed under paragraph (2)(i) shall be admissible in evidence against that person in any criminal proceedings.

(8) Nothing in this regulation shall be taken to compel the production by any person of a document if that person would on grounds of legal professional privilege be entitled to withhold production on an order for the production of documents in an action in the Court of Session.

(9) Schedule 2 shall have effect with respect to the powers of entry and related powers which are conferred by this regulation.

(10) In this regulation—

“articles or substances” includes flora and fauna;

“emergency” means a case in which it appears to the authorised person in question that there is an immediate risk of environmental damage and that immediate entry to any premises is necessary to verify the existence of that risk, to ascertain the cause of that risk or to effect a remedy;

“premises” includes any land, vehicle, vessel or mobile plant.

Preventive measures S

10.—(1) In the event of an imminent threat of environmental damage caused by an activity, the operator of that activity must without delay take the necessary preventive measures.

(2) If, notwithstanding the taking of preventive measures, an imminent threat of environmental damage remains, the operator must as soon as practicable notify the competent authority of the circumstances of the threat.

(3) In the absence of any notification by an operator, if a competent authority has reasonable grounds for believing that there is an imminent threat of environmental damage it may require an operator to provide information about the threat.

(4) The competent authority may, at any time—

(a) require an operator to provide it with such additional information as may be required by it following notification of a threat under paragraph (2); or

(b) require an operator to take the necessary preventive measures.

(5) Where an operator—

(a) fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) or (4)(b);

(b) cannot be identified; or

(c) is not required to pay the costs in accordance with these Regulations,

the competent authority instead of the operator may itself take preventive measures.

(6) Failure by an operator to comply with any of the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (4) without reasonable excuse is an offence.

Identification and determination of remedial measures S

11.—(1) This regulation applies where environmental damage has occurred.

(2) The relevant operator shall identify, in accordance with Schedule 3, potential remedial measures and shall submit them without delay to the competent authority for approval, unless the competent authority has taken action under regulation 12(4).

(3) If an operator fails to submit potential remedial measures in accordance with paragraph (2), then the competent authority shall require an operator to do so.

(4) As soon as practicable after the receipt of potential remedial measures submitted for approval in terms of paragraph (2) or (3) and before approving remedial measures, the competent authority shall, if practicable, consult—

(a) any interested person (as defined in regulation 14(1)); and

(b) the owner or occupier of the land upon which, or any waters in respect of which, the potential remedial measures are to be carried out.

(5) A person consulted under paragraph (4) may make representations to the competent authority within such time limit as is specified by that authority to the person and the competent authority shall take into account any representations in making its determination for the purposes of paragraph (6).

(6) Following consultation the competent authority shall determine which remedial measures shall be implemented and shall inform the operator accordingly.

(7) Failure by an operator to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) without reasonable excuse is an offence.

Operator to take remedial action S

12.—(1) In the event that environmental damage has occurred, an operator must immediately—

(a) notify the competent authority of the circumstances of the damage;

(b) take all practicable steps to control, contain, remove or otherwise manage any contaminants or any other damage factors in order to limit or prevent further environmental damage and adverse effects on human health or further impairment of services; and

(c) on approval being given by the competent authority in accordance with regulation 11, take the necessary remedial measures.

(2) In the absence of any notification by an operator, if a competent authority has reasonable grounds for believing that environmental damage has occurred, it may require the operator to provide information about the damage.

(3) The competent authority may, at any time—

(a) require an operator to provide it with supplementary information on any environmental damage that has occurred following notification under paragraph (1)(a);

(b) take, require an operator to take, or give an operator instructions concerning, all practicable steps to immediately control, contain, remove or otherwise manage any contaminants and any other damage factors in order to limit or prevent further environmental damage and adverse effects on human health or further impairment of services;

(c) require an operator to take the necessary remedial measures.

(4) Where an operator—

(a) fails to comply with the requirements placed on it by paragraph (1) or (3)(b) or (c);

(b) cannot be identified; or

(c) is not required to pay the costs in accordance with these Regulations,

the competent authority instead of an operator may itself take the necessary remedial measures but only as a means of last resort.

(5) Failure by an operator to comply with the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (3) without reasonable excuse is an offence.

Appeals and interim measures S

13.—(1) The operator may appeal to the sheriff on questions of fact and law if aggrieved by a requirement imposed under—

(a) regulation 10(4)(b);

(b) regulation 12(3)(b); or

(c) regulation 12(3)(c).

(2) An appeal to the sheriff under paragraph (1) shall be by way of summary application.

(3) The period within which an appeal under paragraph (1) may be brought shall be 28 days from the date after the date of intimation of the decision containing the requirement an operator is desiring to appeal.

(4) The sheriff in determining an appeal may—

(a) confirm the decision of the competent authority;

(b) quash the decision and, where the sheriff considers that the competent authority has acted unreasonably in imposing the requirement which is the subject of the appeal, order the competent authority to reimburse any costs incurred in complying with the requirement;

(c) remit the decision to the competent authority for re‑determination; or

(d) make such other order as the sheriff thinks just.

(5) The sheriff's determination on an appeal is final.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), the bringing of an appeal under paragraph (1) removes the need to comply with the requirement which is the subject of the appeal until the appeal has been withdrawn or finally determined by the sheriff.

(7) Paragraph (6) does not apply where—

(a) in the opinion of the competent authority there is an imminent risk to human health, or an imminent threat of environmental damage; and

(b) the competent authority has notified the operator of this opinion when imposing the requirement in question.

Request for action and review S

14.—(1) In this regulation “ interested person” means—

(a) any person who—

(i) is affected or likely to be affected by environmental damage; or

(ii) otherwise has a sufficient interest; or

(b) a non governmental organisation promoting environmental protection.

(2) An interested person may submit any observations to the competent authority in relation to an instance of environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage and request the competent authority to take action under these Regulations.

(3) A request from an interested person under paragraph (2) shall be—

(a) made in writing; and

(b) accompanied by any relevant information and data supporting any observation made under that paragraph in relation to the environmental damage or imminent threat of such damage.

(4) Upon receipt by a competent authority of a request under paragraph (2) it shall determine whether or not it is satisfied that the request and the accompanying observation demonstrate in a plausible manner that the environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage exists and, in the event that—

(a) it is so satisfied, the procedure specified in paragraphs (5) and (6) shall be followed; or

(b) it is not so satisfied, it shall notify the person who made the request under paragraph (2) of its decision and the reasons for it.

(5) Where a competent authority is satisfied under paragraph (4) in relation to a request made under paragraph (2) it shall notify the operator of the request, provide it with a copy of the accompanying information and invite the operator to respond with any representations.

(6) After having had regard to any representations made to it by an operator, the competent authority shall notify—

(a) the person who made the request under paragraph (2); and

(b) the operator,

of its decision regarding the request and provide reasons for it.

Co-operation between competent authorities S

15.—(1) Where, in the opinion of the competent authority, an instance of environmental damage or an imminent threat of such damage arises from an activity carried on in Scotland and affects or is likely to affect the territory of—

(a) another Member State; or

(b) another part of the United Kingdom,

the competent authority shall—

(i) co‑operate with the relevant competent authority of that Member State or part of the United Kingdom;

(ii) provide all such information as may be required by that competent authority in relation to damage or imminent threat of such damage;

(iii) consider using its powers under regulation 10(5) or regulation 12(4) in the event that preventive or remedial measures are not taken by the operator; and

(iv) notify the Scottish Ministers.

(2) Where a competent authority is aware of—

(a) an occurrence, or imminent threat, of environmental damage in Scotland as a result of an activity specified in Schedule 1; or

(b) an occurrence, or imminent threat, of environmental damage in Scotland as a result of any other activity where the occurrence or imminent threat has arisen as a result of the fault or negligence of the operator of the activity,

and the activity is carried on otherwise than in Scotland, the competent authority shall as soon as possible notify the Scottish Ministers.

(3) Where the Scottish Ministers receive a notification under paragraph (2) in relation to an activity carried on outside the United Kingdom, they may—

(a) notify the Commission of the matter;

(b) notify the relevant competent authority of the Member State in question of the matter; and

(c) make recommendations as to the preventive measures or remedial measures required.

(4) Where, in the opinion of the competent authority, the damage specified in paragraph (2) is likely to affect the territory of one or more other parts of the United Kingdom, the competent authority shall as soon as possible notify the relevant competent authority of that part of the United Kingdom.

(5) The requirement imposed on the competent authority in paragraphs (1)(iv) and (2)(b) to notify the Scottish Ministers shall not apply where the competent authority is the Scottish Ministers.

Grant of, and compensation for, rights of entry S

16.—(1) Any person whose consent is required before any measures required by these Regulations may be carried out must grant, or join in granting, such rights in relation to any land or waters as will enable the relevant person to carry out such measures.

(2) Before requiring any such consent in terms of paragraph (1), the relevant person shall reasonably endeavour to consult every person who appears to it—

(a) to be the owner or occupier of any such land or waters; and

(b) to be a person who might be required by paragraph (1) to grant or join in granting any rights.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the relevant person shall compensate a person who grants, or joins in granting, any rights required by paragraph (1), where that person sustains damage as a consequence thereof.

(4) The relevant person must pay compensation under paragraph (3) only if—

(a) the person gives notice of a claim to the relevant person, stating the grounds of the claim and the amount claimed, and

(b) the notice is given in accordance with Schedule 4.

(5) Schedule 4 shall have effect in relation to compensation under this regulation.

(6) In this regulation, “the relevant person” means—

(a) an operator;

(b) a person acting on behalf of an operator; or

(c) the competent authority.

Costs S

17.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the competent authority shall recover from the operator who has caused the damage or the imminent threat of damage, the costs it has incurred in relation to preventive or remedial measures taken under these Regulations and any costs incurred by it under regulation 8(3) or 15(1).

(2) An operator shall not be required to bear the cost of preventive or remedial measures if it demonstrates that the environmental damage or the imminent threat of such damage—

(a) was caused by a third party despite the fact that appropriate safety measures were in place; or

(b) resulted from compliance with a compulsory order or instruction emanating from a public authority other than an order or instruction consequent upon an emission or incident caused by the operator's own activities.

(3) An operator is not required to pay the costs of remedial measures taken under these Regulations if it demonstrates that it was not at fault or negligent and that the environmental damage was caused by—

(a) an emission or event expressly authorised by, and fully in accordance with the conditions of, an authorisation granted in relation to an activity in Schedule 1; or

(b) an emission or activity or any manner of using a product in the course of an activity which the operator demonstrates was not considered likely to cause environmental damage according to the state of scientific and technical knowledge at the time of the emission or activity.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply where the damage was caused by the release of genetically modified organisms.

(5) Where the circumstances referred to in paragraph (2) apply, an operator who incurs any costs under these Regulations may recover those costs from the relevant third party or public authority as appropriate.

(6) Proceedings for recovery of costs may be initiated by a competent authority not more than 5 years after whichever is the later of the dates specified in paragraph (7).

(7) Those dates are—

(a) the date on which the competent authority completed any relevant measures taken under these Regulations;

(b) the date on which the competent authority identified the responsible operator.

Allocation of costs S

18.—(1) Where the activities of more than one operator have resulted in an instance of, or the imminent threat of, environmental damage, the competent authority shall determine the responsibility of the operators for the costs of the environmental damage.

(2) The competent authority may determine the operators' responsibility on the following basis:—

(a) percentage split;

(b) jointly and severally;

(c) with reference to a particular area or period of time; or

(d) in such other manner as it deems appropriate.

(3) The competent authority may, at any time, require the operators concerned to provide such information as may be required by it for the purpose of determining the operators' responsibility for costs.

(4) Failure by an operator to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) without reasonable excuse is an offence.

Penalties S

19.  A person guilty of an offence under these Regulations shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or both; or

(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Offences by bodies corporate S

20.  Where an offence under these Regulations is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of—

(a) any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or

(b) any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,

that person as well as the body corporate is to be deemed to be guilty of that offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Offences by Scottish partnerships S

21.  Where an offence under these Regulations is committed by a Scottish partnership (other than a limited liability partnership) and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, a partner, that partner as well as the partnership is to be deemed guilty of that offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Offences by limited liability partnerships S

22.  Where an offence under these Regulations is committed by a limited liability partnership and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any member of that partnership or person who was purporting to act as such, that member or person as well as the limited liability partnership, is to be deemed guilty of that offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

R CUNNINGHAM

Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers

St Andrew's House,

Edinburgh