Policy issues on the control of major accident hazards and the new Seveso II directive

No-one wants a major accident to occur! This paper describes the developmen t of EC policies to convert this simple and obvious fact into a coherent pr evention strategy which can deliver a high level of protection throughout t he European Community. The Seveso II Directive is described in detail, bein g the relevant Community Instrument which Member States must implement in t heir national laws. The need to achieve the correct balance between setting general goals and being over prescriptive is discussed, commensurate with the intent to be flexible but yet consistent and effective at the same time . The main changes from Seveso I are discussed, including requirements rela ted to the operator's management systems, the competent authority's systems for inspection, and information and consultation arrangements with the pub lic. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.