Risk-based licensing

The EPA’s risk-based licensing system regulates activities based on the risk the activity poses to human health and the environment. EPA officers, in consultation with the licensee, assess a site’s daily operations, pollution incident risk, and the occupier’s environmental performance. This determines the risk level and environmental management category. The environmental management category is reviewed annually at the end of each licence reporting period and the risk assessment of operations and pollution incidents is reviewed at least every 5 years, or more frequently if needed or circumstances change.
The EPA developed the Risk assessment tool to help licensees understand the process