Environmental Protection Regulatory Review

The following regulations and codes of practice are currently being reviewed under the Environmental Management Act (EMA):

• Organic Matter Recycling Regulation
• Spill Preparedness and Response Regulation - Phase 2

The following regulation is being reviewed under the Integrated Pest Management Act (IPMA):

• Administrative Penalties Regulation (IPMA)
• Integrated Pest Management Regulation

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Regulatory Review Process

The development and review of codes of practice and regulations involves the following 5 phases:

1. Scoping
2. Preparation of Policy Intentions Paper
3. Consultation on Policy Intentions
4. Drafting
5. Implementation

The flow chart about the EMA Regulatory Review Process (PDF, 69KB) illustrates this development process and provides detail on each phase.

Preparing Intentions Papers

The B.C. government develops policy intentions papers for consultation that outline the proposed intent for new or amendments to existing codes of practice or regulations which forms the basis for consultation with stakeholders on the proposed approach.

Interested parties review the paper posted on the government website and provide feedback within a 45-day consultation period. The policy intentions paper is a discussion document, with the policy to be finalized based on the feedback and further research.

Consultation Period

A web-based approach has been adopted for consultation on policy intentions papers. During the consultation period, policy intentions papers and information on development or review are posted on the specific code of practice or regulation web page. 

Intentions papers describe the objectives, proposed contents of the code or regulation, aspects of particular concern for the protection of human health and the environment, and other relevant information.

Providing Comments

Each intentions paper for consultation will be posted for 45 days. Comments on the policy intentions can be submitted by fax, e-mail, letter, or by completing applicable web-based response forms by the date specified for each code of practice or regulation. Consultation contact information, instructions and response forms are specifically posted for each intentions paper.

After the Consultation Period

After the consultation period is complete, comments received are summarized and posted in a consultation summary report. All comments received will be treated with confidentiality when compiling these consultation responses. However, comments you provide and information that identifies you as the source of those comments may be publicly available if a Freedom of Information request is made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

After the consultation feedback is reviewed, the finalized policy proposal will provide a framework for drafting the new, or amendments to the existing, code of practice or regulation.