Get ready for new EPA laws and investigative powers

From 1 July 2021, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will have new environment protection laws, with increased powers to investigate businesses. There will also be large increases to penalties for rogue operators.

If you operate a small business offering dry cleaning, automotive repair or maintenance, or automotive body repair, you can apply to participate in the Small Business Program pilot, in which an experienced consultant will help you come up with an action plan to be ready for the new laws.

The EPA expects businesses to be open and honest, manage risk proactively, and continually reduce risks to the environment. You must report non-compliance and contamination and respond positively when EPA raises issues.

EPA’s Small Business Program pilot offers free expert advice about managing risks under the new environment protection laws to a limited number of eligible small businesses across Victoria.

Participants in the program receive advice that is:

Free: EPA will cover the costs of the advice you will receive.  

Personal: you will have an “in person” visit from an experienced consultant who will work with you to build your very own action plan. This will help identify ways your business can establish, maintain or improve your compliance with the new environment protection laws. 

Private: while all action plans will be shared with EPA (to identify where more support is required), it will be de-identified. EPA will not be able to identify which plan relates to which participating business.

If you operate a dry cleaning, automotive repair or maintenance or automotive body repair business that employs less than 60 employees, you can apply to participate in the Small Business Program pilot.

You do not need to have participated in any other program with EPA to join.  

To learn more and to register, head to the EPA website.