Deregulation and the faces of Janus

An initial hit-list of environmental legislation which will be subject to deregulation has been completed by the Government. Its proposals to abolish rules on special waste and air pollution are already proving deeply controversial, but in other cases appear likely to reduce business costs without weakening environmental standards. More deregulation proposals, notably on waste, are in the pipeline for the autumn. Meanwhile, an official review has concluded that other countries do not implement or enforce EC legislation more rigorously than the UK, and has put forward potentially significant proposals for changes to the UK's negotiating strategies and consultations with business on EC laws.