Environmental incentive programmes

(1) The Department shall develop, promote and implement appropriate incentive programmes which encourage the voluntary use of effective environmental management systems and the achievement of improvements in environmental quality, including– (a) the establishment of a voluntary facility environmental audit programme which allows for the exercise of enforcement discretion by the Department with respect to liability which might otherwise arise, if an offence or violation is detected as a result of such an audit programme and voluntary disclosure to the (b) the of certification or labelling programmes which allow the Department to distinguish or designate specific persons, activities or products which the Department certifies as demonstrating or representing significant environmental management qualities; (c) the operation of deposit refund systems for specified materials to increase the level of recycling, reuse or authorised disposition; and (d) any other programmes or mechanisms which may further the objectives of the Act. (2) With the approval of the Minister the Department may impose pollution charges or user fees to encourage the protection and conservation of the environment. 144 Environmental Protection (3) For purposes of this Regulation, “facility environmental audit programme” means a comprehensive investigation and evaluation system designed and implemented at a facility for the purpose of– (a) detecting and preventing violations of requirements or the commission of under these Regulations; and (b) identifying opportunities for achieving improvements in environmental programmes at the facility.