Recent European Legislation Research Articles

Energy Efficient Dryer Operation—An Update on Developments

ABSTRACT Recent European legislation designed to limit carbon emissions and to reward the efficient use of energy will undoubtedly encourage dryer operators to reduce their fuel consumption. This article first describes such legislation, which includes the climate change levy, enhanced capital allowances for energy-efficient plant, emissions trading, and the integrated pollution prevention and control regulations. Techniques for measuring dryer performance, benchmarking the results, and analyzing different energy-saving options are then discussed. It is concluded that more stringent legislation coupled with technical improvements, and social, political and economic pressures will result in a cycle of continuous improvement in operating performance.

The effect of two teeth resection procedures on the welfare of piglets in farrowing crates. Part 1

Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in farrowing crates. Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation. Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact ( F = 638.87, P < 0.001). I piglets had higher facial lesion scores than C and G piglets ( F = 10.58, P < 0.001). A smaller proportion of piglets in I litters than C and G litters and a smaller proportion of piglets in G litters than C litters had at least one mouth lesion ( F = 4.74, P < 0.001). During 30 min post-procedure, I piglets were active on the heatpad in more observations than C and G piglets ( F = 3.49, P < 0.05). During 5 min post-procedure C piglets spent longer chomping than I piglets ( F = 5.92, P = 0.05). On day 21, I piglets were active in more observations than G piglets ( F = 2.11, P < 0.05). On day 26, G piglets were inactive in more observations than C and I piglets ( F = 5.02, P < 0.05). On days 14 and 26, C piglets were sleeping in more observations than G piglets ( F = 2.87, P = 0.05). There was a tendency for a larger proportion of I than C piglets to die due to overlying ( F = 2.68, P = 0.08). In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.

Data rules [legislation

Data is taking on a new importance in IT as the rights and responsibilities of companies that build and maintain databases become clearer in the wake of recent European legislation. This article describes how recent legislation is changing the way organisations regard their data.

Today's environmental standards create new water sludge disposal headaches

Recent European water legislation has meant that water and waste treatment operators have had to adjust their sights to a new level, modifying plants and raising overall standards. Environmental considerations are ever more important and the whole process of water sludge disposal can attract attention and grab headlines. Philippe Defarges from PCM Pumps outlines the difficulties facing water treatment companies and explains PCM's solution.

Landfill economics—a taxing matter?

The pressures of recent UK and European legislation upon the waste hierarchy have to be balanced against the three coexisting elements of environment, economics and society in the quest for sustainable development. Disposal to landfill will surely become the ‘least preferred option for disposal’ due to both the implementations of national waste strategies and the reduction in availability of suitable landfill sites. This paper demonstrates, however, that the use of landfill taxes has not yet succeeded in redressing the balance of reversing the waste hierarchy, with three national examples indicating an increase in disposal to landfill despite considerable tax levies.

Medical device registration, agreements on mutual recognition — a step forward to global harmonization?

The purpose of this article is to give a short overview of some different regulations in Europe and the United States with regard to the clearance of medical devices and to give an outlook of what the Agreements on Mutual Recognition will bring in terms of Global Harmonization. Recent European legislation, the Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices (Medical Device Directive, MDD), requires that all medical devices placed on the European market bear the CE marking. From 14 June 1998, medical devices fall under the scope of this European Medical Device Directive and there is a harmonization within the European market. Similar to this, but for another market, are the USA FDA requirements, Premarket Approval (PMA) and Premarket notification (510(k)). The same medical device, the same goal — a safe product — but different legislation and thus duplication of registration procedures. The European Commission is presently discussing a series of agreements with third countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Japan and Eastern European countries wishing to join the EU, concerning the mutual acceptance of inspection bodies and, ultimately, proof of conformity (for example reports on examination, certificates, licenses and marks of conformity) in connection with medical devices. Meanwhile agreements with Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada came into force.

Occupational health and safety professionals and management: identity, marriage, servitude or supervision?

The role and training of occupational health and safety professionals is a continuing subject of debate in the light of recent European legislation. This paper discusses the possible roles of professionals in the context of the complexities of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management. It presents the roles using the metaphor of parent-adult-child relationships (Harris, 1970) and discusses the ways in which different relationships can lead to different problems of functioning. It concludes with presenting the possible role of training in tackling these problems.

Urban Sewerage Rehabilitation in the UK

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the history of sewerage rehabilitation in the UK and the work which led to the publication of the Sewerage Rehabilitation Manual in 1983.The Sewerage Rehabilitation Manual planning procedure is described, and experience of its implementation since 1984 is discussed. Reference is made to changes in the water industry brought about by privatization, and to recent European and UK legislation. The current status of the rehabilitation market is then discussed and possible future developments are outlined.The paper concludes that the existence in the UK of a standardized rehabilitation planning procedure has enabled sewerage problems to be solved more cost‐effectively than previously and has helped the industry to cope with the major changes brought about by privatization. Compatibility with the proposed European standard for sewerage rehabilitation will enable UK and European strategies to develop together.

Assessment of Stress Risks and Learning Opportunities in the Work Organization

Abstract Organizational innovation and recent European legislation on work organization require instruments, to be used by practitioners, for the assessment of jobs and the redesign of the structure of the division of labour. In The Netherlands the so-called WEBA-instrument (conditions for well-being at work) has been developed to assess stress risks and learning opportunities. The foundation of the instrument refers to the Dutch modern sociotechnical systems theory, the Karasek demand-control theory and the German action regulation theory. Its application is becoming widespread because, among other reasons, this instrument is supported by the Labour Inspectorate of The Netherlands. Besides a presentation of the instrument and its foundation, some examples will be given and some theoretical and practical problems discussed.

Recent European legislation in the field of noise abatement and its impact on standardization

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Recent European legislation in the field of noise abatement and its impact on standardization.

According to the ‘‘new approach’’ from 1985, European legislation in the field of technical harmonization is limited to the adoption of essential safety requirements, while the task of drawing up related technical product specifications is entrusted to European standardization organizations. The ‘‘global approach’’ from 1989 describes the policy of the European Communities regarding conformity assessment procedures. Noise aspects are covered, for example, by the Directives 86/188/EEC on the protection of workers against noise and 89/392/EEC on machinery safety. The latter is of the ‘‘new approach’’ type and contains essential requirements with respect to the measurement, declaration, and reduction of noise. It has initiated considerable standardization activity, both on the European level (e.g., within CEN/TC 211, Acoustics) and the international level (e.g., within ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, and its Subcommittee 1, Noise). The cooperation established between these committees is completely in accordance with the recent Vienna Agreement between CEN and ISO. The procedure and the present status of this common standardization effort in the field of acoustics will be described.

Sex Discrimination and Private Insurance: should sex differences make a difference?

This paper argues that UK insurance companies should abandon their policy of charging differential premiums and offering differential benefits to women and men on the basis of gender specific morbidity and mortality tables. The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) permits such practices, although subsequent legal judgements, particularly in the European Court, have challenged aspects of them. However, the spirit of the SDA, as of recent European Community legislation, is to outlaw unequal treatment which arguably reflects unfair, culturally-based or outdated stereotypes about the capabilities and the needs of either sex. Firstly, this paper considers the contemporary legal and statutory context, as regards differential treatment of women and men, in which British insurance companies operate. Secondly, it discusses certain conflicting views as to whether such differentiation is either ‘fair’ to the insured or commercially necessary for the continued viability of the insurance industry, drawing on debates in this country and the United States. The paper concludes with some suggestions as to how changes might be introduced, on a legislative or voluntary basis.

Safety standards, risk analysis and decision making on prevention measures: Implications of some recent European legislation and standards : J of Occupat Accidents, 1990, 13.3, 213–231, 34 refs

Abstract Hale, A.R., de Loor, M., van Drimmelen, D. and Huppes, G., 1990. Safety standards, risk analysis and decision making on prevention measures: implications of some recent European legislation and standards. Journal of Occupational Accidents , 13: 213–231. Legislation on industrial safety in many countries contains several different ways of phrasing its requirements: — either as exposure or risk standards which have to be met; — or as specific requirements to apply specified prevention measures — or as general requirements to put into effect measures belonging to ‘the state of the art’ in so far as those can reasonably be required of the employer or designer. A new approach to European standardisation of machinery safety is in the process of putting forward a standard of good design practice as an umbrella for specific machinery standards, which fits this last approach. In placing a general requirement of good practice on Industry there is an implication that manufacturers and employers should be able to demonstrate that their decisions are based upon sound analysis of risk which they or others have conducted. The paper presents a discussion of the implications of recent European legislation on machinery safety and of the Dutch Working Environment Law on the structuring of such a systematic approach. Emphasis is placed on the use of standards based on “the state of the art” in prevention. The options open for government to facilitate and influence the decision making steps related to risk assessment are also discussed.

Recent European Community Legislation Concerning the Environment

Outlines certain current aspects of European law relating to the environment. Includes discussion of material building works, other infrastructure projects and disposal of waste. Suggests possible consequences for property developers, lenders of finance and property investors.

Safety standards, risk analysis and decision making on prevention measures: implications of some recent European legislation and standards

Hale, A.R., de Loor, M., van Drimmelen, D. and Huppes, G., 1990. Safety standards, risk analysis and decision making on prevention measures: implications of some recent European legislation and standards. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 13: 213–231. Legislation on industrial safety in many countries contains several different ways of phrasing its requirements: — either as exposure or risk standards which have to be met; — or as specific requirements to apply specified prevention measures — or as general requirements to put into effect measures belonging to ‘the state of the art’ in so far as those can reasonably be required of the employer or designer. A new approach to European standardisation of machinery safety is in the process of putting forward a standard of good design practice as an umbrella for specific machinery standards, which fits this last approach. In placing a general requirement of good practice on Industry there is an implication that manufacturers and employers should be able to demonstrate that their decisions are based upon sound analysis of risk which they or others have conducted. The paper presents a discussion of the implications of recent European legislation on machinery safety and of the Dutch Working Environment Law on the structuring of such a systematic approach. Emphasis is placed on the use of standards based on “the state of the art” in prevention. The options open for government to facilitate and influence the decision making steps related to risk assessment are also discussed.

Recent European Legislation with Regard to Compensation for Industrial Accidents

Recent European Legislation with Regard to Compensation for Industrial Accidents