Annex 1: Glossary of terms
The following list aims to provide brief explanations of many of the words, phrases and acronyms to which particular meaning are attached in Environmental Damage Regulations and this guidance.
Activity
Refers to any occupational activity or undertaking (whether or not carried out for profit) to which these Regulations apply.
Appeal
The opportunity provided for the operator to challenge a decision made by the regulator, by appealing to the sheriff- see chapter 9.
Authority
Refers to the Competent Authority - the body responsible for enforcing the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Scotland) Regulations - see chapter 4 for list of enforcing authorities
Baseline condition
Condition of the environment before environmental damage occurred.
Codes of Good Practice
Publications by (organisations, including) Government Departments and Agencies to promote and encourage good practices within specific sectors, for example, the various Codes of Good Agricultural practice for the farming sector.
Contamination
Substances in, on or under the land which have the potential to cause harm.
Dangerous substances
Toxic substances that pose the greatest threat to the environment and human health.
Day
Where this guidance refers to a number of days in specifying timelines, it refers to calendar days.
Directive
European Union Directive.
Environmental Damage
Damage to the environment as defined in Regulation 3 - see chapter 3 for definitions.
EU/ EC European Union / European Community.
GMOs
Genetically Modified Organisms
Interested Party
Anyone with sufficient interest or who is affected, or likely to be affected by Environmental Damage.
Natural resources
The protected species and natural habitats, water and land covered by the Regulations.
Operator
An operator of an activity including any natural or legal, private or public person who operates or controls the activity. This includes the holder of a permit or authorisation for the activity or the person registering or notifying the activity.
Permit
A permit granted by the regulator allowing the operation of a regulated facility subject to certain conditions.
Preparations
Mixtures or solutions composed of two or more substances.
Remedial options
Proposals by the operator to the enforcing authority to remedy the environmental damage that has occurred.
Responsible party
The operator(s) identified as causing the environmental damage.
Risk assessment
The estimation of risk calculated by the magnitude of the potential risk and the probability that that risk will occur.
Risk management
Strategies to manage risk, and the mitigation of risk using managerial resources.
SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SNH Scottish Natural Heritage
Services
Services or natural resource services refer to the functions performed by a natural resource for the benefit of another natural resource or the public.
Substances
Chemical elements and their compounds as they occur in the natural state or as produced by industry.
The Regulations
The Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) (Scotland) Regulations 2008.