About the report
This review is the second review of the design and operation of the NPI since it came into effect in 1998. The earlier review by Professor Ian Rae occurred in the third reporting year and a further four years of operating experience have now been accumulated.
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) established the terms of reference for this review to assist it in deciding whether, on the basis of some seven years of experience in the operation of the NPI, there is a case for initiating a variation of the NEPM.
This review assesses whether the NPI, as currently operating, is delivering all the benefits it might to jurisdictions, it targets areas where improvements can be made, examines operational issues, builds on earlier reviews, and considers international experience. These assessments were made through stakeholder consultation, consideration of other reviews of the NPI and critically assessing international state of knowledge and experience in operating Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs).