72Accreditation of voluntary improvement plans

72 Accreditation of voluntary improvement plans (1) A person who is conducting, or proposing to conduct, an activity may apply to the authority for accreditation of an environmental improvement plan in relation to the activity that the person has, on the person’s own initiative, prepared or caused to be prepared. (2) An application must include— (a) a request that the plan be accredited under this section; and (b) a copy of the plan, specifying the period during which the plan is proposed to be implemented and the measures proposed to be taken under the plan to achieve the best environmental practice. (3) The authority may accredit an environmental improvement plan under this section if satisfied that, as a result of implementing the plan, over the specified period environmental harm would be reduced to the maximum extent reasonably possible. (4) In making a decision under subsection (3), the authority must take into account— (a) the extent to which the objects of this Act would be furthered by accrediting the plan; and (b) the nature of the activity, particularly the potential of the activity to cause serious or material environmental harm; and (c) the state of available technology.