Scope for the Use of Economic Instruments for Selected Persistent Pollutants
This report - produced by the consultancy Risk and Policy Analysts Limited (RPA) - investigates the potential scope for using economic instruments to manage the risks associated with a wide range of persistent pollutants and presents proposals for the application and design of economic instruments for selected case study chemicals. The study is scoping in nature and the case studies presented should be seen as illustrative.
The report is available in two parts for downloading and printing:
- Main Report (PDF) (360kb)
- Case Studies (PDF) (700kb)
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Background
Despite the publication of a UK Chemicals Strategy and the creation of the Chemicals Stakeholder Forum and action being taken at the EU level to introduce a new regulatory framework for chemicals regulation, there is a need to continue examining the role that alternative approaches to direct regulation can play in managing chemical risks.
This study, prepared by Risk & Policy Analysts Limited (RPA), was commissioned by Defra in 2001 in order to consider the scope for using economic instruments to manage the risks associated with a wide range of persistent pollutants. The final report was produced in July 2002.
The study was conducted in two main phases. In the first phase, the potential for applying economic instruments was assessed in relation to 30 chemicals. These chemicals were identified using criteria for persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity, as defined by the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum. The conclusions from this first phase were that economic instruments can offer important advantages as complementary measures, particularly as incentive mechanisms to encourage longer-term improvements in environmental performance.
The first phase of the study was followed by a sub-set of case studies, that examined the potential application and design of economic instruments in more detail. These case studies involved:
- examining the range of instruments that could complement current proposed regulations in managing residual risks associated with the use of nonylphenols and their ethoxylates;
- the use of product taxes/charges and other instruments to achieve further reductions in emissions of three chlorinated solvents; and
- the use of emissions trading as a means of meeting international commitments to achieve ongoing reductions in emissions of a series of metals to the marine environment.
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Page published
11 November 2002;
Page last modified
12 December, 2002