The principles of environmental law as they affect engineering decision making

The ad hoc development of the law in relation to the environment is outlined leading to the identification of principles which are said to reflect the ethos of environmental law. The implementation of these principles in legislation and in regulations under preparation to satisfy European Directives, and the influence of environmental management systems is summarised. The article concludes with a description of the effect of the pending pollution prevention and control regime on a typical process plant installation project