In May, IMPEL performed a so called Review Initiative (IRI) in Slovenia. Hosted by the Slovenian Environment and Nature Inspectorate IRSOP, the exercise was carried out in two parts; a pre-meeting was held in January this year and the actual review was carried out between 7 and 10 May.
The primary purpose of an IRI, which is voluntarily, is to perform an internal audit of the host organisation, with the support of experienced professionals from different IMPEL member countries. Participation in such a review delivers a fast and professional insight in good ways of working and opportunities for improvement of organisation and its functioning.
Slovenia is the first among the IMPEL member states countries, decided to re-implement this project, following the IRI carried out in 2010. The main reason for the re-assessment of the functioning of the Inspectorate for the Environment and Nature was primarily a verification of inspection service works in accordance with the Recommendations for Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI). This because the Inspectorate underwent several reorganisational changes.
The main themes of the review focused on the control of the IED facilities, SEVESO facilities and supervison of waste management (non – IED) facilities. The following topic were discussed:
- Description of the system of environment protection in Slovenia and authorities carrying out tasks in the field of the environment protection (Ministry for the environment and spatial planning, Slovenian Environment Agency, Slovenian Water Agency and Inspectorate of RS for the environment and spatial planning – IRSOP);
- Presentation of the organisation, tasks and objectives of the IRSOP;
- Presentation of working areas, competences and performance of work of Environment and Nature Protection Inspection Service.
Some members of the review team also went to a facility to witness on the ground how inspections are performed by their Slovenian colleagues and how these are viewed by the operator.
In the context of these issues the review team members coming from The Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Azores (Portugal) and Poland, identified some good practices. For example the so called “Supervision actions” by which specific problems (for example from complaints) can be addressed in an efficient way. Especially the way the results of such supervision actions are analysed and reported is seen as a good example”.
The review team also indentified opportunities for development or improvement, such as the development of more technical guidance or training material on how to perform good inspections.
The last day of the project review team prepared a presentation of the conclusions. Beside the representatives of the inspectorate, also representatives of the Ministry for the environment and spatial planning, Human rights ombudsman and Public Sector Inspectorate attended the presentation.