Most environmental health practitioners are engaged in the business of regulation, ensuring that the highest standards of environmental and public health are being met by business, industry and employers.
EHPs inspect premises for food safety, health and safety, animal welfare, housing standards and pest control. They are also responsible for air quality, noise control, food imports, infectious disease control and health improvement.
The CIEH therefore has a vital interest in the way that the regulatory framework is organised and the principles underlying the regulatory approach.
We have made the case to Government that, in their drive to reform the regulatory regime, there must be reductions in regulatory burdens for both business and regulators. We have argued consistently against regulation for its own sake: not more regulation, but better regulation. There is a need for closer co-ordination between national and local regulators to improve efficiency, and greater emphasis on achieving compliance through education and advice, rather than enforcement.