RMCEI
Environmental Inspections (RMCEI)
What is RMCEI?
RMCEI stands for Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections.
It is a recommendation adopted by the European Parliament and Council in 2001 (Recommendation 2001/331/EC) to promote a consistent approach to environmental inspections across EU Member States.
The purpose of RMCEI is to:
- Improve compliance with environmental legislation and support effective enforcement.
- Establish minimum standards for planning, carrying out, and following up on environmental inspections.
- Strengthen environmental protection through structured, transparent, and effective inspection programmes.
Under RMCEI, Member States are required to maintain environmental inspection plans covering regulated activities and installations within their jurisdictions.
These plans must include:
- A programme of routine inspections.
- Procedures for dealing with complaints, accidents, and incidents.
- Arrangements for reporting on and reviewing inspection activities.
What Is Longford County Council's Role?
Each year, Longford County Council prepares an Environmental Inspection Plan (RMCEI Plan) and submits it to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before the end of February.
The Plan outlines:
- The types and number of environmental inspections to be carried out.
- The frequency of routine and non-routine inspections.
- How the Council will address the EPA's National Enforcement Priorities (NEPs).
While the EPA identifies national enforcement priorities, Longford County Council determines the inspection programme for its functional area, including which sites and premises will be inspected.
What Is an Environmental Inspection Plan?
The Environmental Inspection Plan provides a framework for implementing and enforcing environmental legislation at local level.
It details the environmental inspection activities planned for the year ahead and helps ensure a consistent approach to environmental monitoring and enforcement.
The Plan:
- Sets annual inspection priorities and targets.
- Reviews inspection activities completed during the previous year.
- Measures performance against established objectives.
- Supports the continuous improvement of environmental enforcement activities.
What Information Must Be Included in the Plan?
The Environmental Inspection Plan must:
- Identify the period covered by the Plan.
- Define the geographical area to which it applies.
- Specify the sites, sectors, or installations included.
- Include a programme of routine environmental inspections.
- Outline procedures for responding to complaints, accidents, and incidents.
- Describe coordination arrangements with other inspection authorities.
- State when and how the Plan will be reviewed and updated.
Who Oversees Local Authority Environmental Performance?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees and reviews the environmental protection functions carried out by local authorities.
Through its Local Authority Performance Framework (LAPF), the EPA evaluates how effectively local authorities deliver environmental services, implement environmental legislation, and meet national environmental priorities.
The latest assessment of Longford County Council's environmental performance is available on the EPA website.
View the Environmental Inspection Plan
The current Longford County Council Environmental Inspection Plan (RMCEI Plan) is available to view and download below:
