Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Bioremediation

Abstract

This chapter highlights the regulatory frameworks of the United States and the United Kingdom, as they represent the sorts of regulatory considerations that drive remediation efforts. The regulatory framework for bioremediation in the United States is advanced and governed by several key laws that establish the oversight mechanisms and parameters within which bioremediation must operate. The United Kingdom regulatory framework is developing in concert with that of the European Union, which is placing increased emphasis on environmental quality and the need for remediation of contaminated sites. The purpose of this chapter is to look at bioremediation processes and technologies in the context of these regulatory programs. The chapter provides a general walkthrough of the steps that are taken during the course of a hazardous-site cleanup. An overview of key elements and their impact on the implementation of innovative treatment technologies such as bioremediation is given. The regulatory framework in the United States, United Kingdom, and elsewhere is complex and evolving with interactions between different regulations and regimes. When contaminated sites undergo remediation, there is a clear requirement to protect the environment while ensuring that risks to human health and the environment are minimized. Permitting, licensing, and regulation have a crucial role in controlling the remediation process. Overall, the redevelopment of brownfield sites may prove to be the biggest driver of remediation and therefore bioremediation activity.