SEPA has joined the accreditation scheme for oil spill response contractors in the UK, along with the Heritage Service for Northern Ireland. The scheme was originally set up to ensure quality and environmental awareness among companies called upon to respond to oil spill incidents.

The scheme has been run up till now by the Environment Agency in England and the British Oil Spill Control Association (BOSCA). The involvement of SEPA and the Heritage Service for Northern Ireland makes the scheme UK wide.

The scheme - which holds a national register of accredited companies - has also been reviewed to ensure the accreditation rules are stringent enough.

The re-launch was performed on 4 June at the Thames Barrier in London by Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead, a member of the Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee.

Bob Sargent, SEPA’s Head of Environmental Services, said:

"In an oil spill incident, we need to be able to recommend a contractor that can deal properly with the incident. This accreditation scheme lets us know which companies are best equipped to deal with incidents and that their safety and environmental credentials have been assessed. We are also using this opportunity to review the qualifying criteria to ensure that all member contractors meeting the standards required.

"Now that SEPA and the Heritage Service for Northern Ireland are members of the scheme, we can ensure consistently high standards of oil spill response across the UK."

Notes to Editors

· The accreditation scheme includes spill response contractors who wish to work for, or on behalf of, or on the recommendation of, the environment protection agencies.

· The scheme is designed to promote quality, safety and environmental awareness within the industry, and to ensure that contractors comply with the contractual requirements of the Agencies for such work.

· Contractors willing to carry out such work for the agencies are required to apply for accreditation and, once accredited, their names will be held on a national register. Only those on the register will be considered for use or for recommendation to third parties by the agencies.

· The scheme is administered by BOSCA in conjunction with an independent accreditation panel. Further information on accreditation is available from BOSCA in 0171 928 9199.