1.6 Compliance to Icelandic Regulations

Indicator 1.6 - Compliance to Icelandic Regulations

As a condition of EIA approval, Alcoa and Landsvirkjun agree to comply with and follow all Icelandic standards and legislation assVisir_1_6ociated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of their facilities.

The Environmental Operating Permits (EOP) for Fjardaál and Fljótsdalur Power Station state which limits are allowable.

The EOP for Fjardaál is available here in English: Fjardaal EOP in English

The EOP for Fljótsdalur Power Station is available here (only in Icelandic).

Performance


The Environment and Food Agency (EFA) handles surveillance and monitoring according to the Environmental Operating Permit (EOP), laws and regulations which cover the operation of the two companies. Non-compliances are instances when the companies fail to fulfill the requirements set in the EOP.

The EFA defines two levels of seriousness for non-compliances, when regular surveillance is performed.

  • Category 1: In the surveillance report, the EFA agent can comment on issues which could be improved, but are not considered serious breaches of regulations or the EOP. The EFA can also offer advice for improvement.
  • Category 2: If the breach is serious, a letter is sent to the company with demands for improvement.

Instances which the EFA places in the second category, are counted, and also instances when a comment is made on a breach of regulations, although the seriousness level does not require a special letter with demands.

The table below shows instances in Category 2 at Fjardaál and Fljótsdalur Power Station in the period from 2007-2011.


Company/Year  2007  2008 2009   2010  2011
   Alcoa Fjardaál  0
 2 0  0  0

 Fljótsdalur Power Station
 0  0 1 *  0  0

* In 2009, there was a breach of regulation No. 522/1994 in Fljótsdalur on food surveillance. Improvements have been finalised.

Updated 9 February 2012.

  Metrics, Targets and Monitoring Protocol


What is measured?

Number of non-compliances per year. (Project effect: direct).


Target

Zero non-compliances.


Monitoring Protocol

Fjardaál and Landsvirkjun monitor this indicator. Every instance is recorded.

Rationale for Indicator Selection


As a condition of EIA approval, Alcoa and Landsvirkjun agree to comply with and follow all Icelandic standards and legislation associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of their facilities.