SARAe’s aim is to meet the needs and responsibilities of operational and technical activities covered by Directive 2004/35/CE, of 21 April, on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (ELD – Environmental Liability Directive).

ELD establishes a legal framework, based on the Polluter Pays Principle, under which economic activities covered by Annex III (i.e. those subject to strict liability) are financially liable for the prevention and restoration of environmental damage. Other activities are covered only if the operator is at fault or negligent. ELD’s objective is to induce operators to proactively take preventive measures.

ELD introduces technical and operational challenges to the stakeholders involved, namely operators of covered occupational activities, national competent authorities, financial and legal sector.

New tools are needed to respond not only to technical issues but also to ensure an efficient operational structure that serves all involved agents. Some of the most complex technical issues are related to the baseline characterization, environmental damage assessment and quantification, evaluation and selection of remediation options, calculation of interim losses.

Operators’ responsibilities also include close articulation with the national competent authorities in terms of notifications and reporting. This is the case for communication of (imminent threat of) environmental damages, as well as preventive and remedial measures.

More information regarding the environmental liability regime is available at E.Value website.