Environmental rating scheme delayed, needs more planning

BANDUNG (JP): The government has postponed its plan to begin rating manufacturing companies in terms of their environmental records because the program requires better preparation.

State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja told reporters yesterday that the program, originally to be introduced in June, has now been postponed indefinitely.

"Evaluating is not an easy task, because it involves complex regulations. We have to be diligent and make sure there are no weaknesses or loopholes," Sarwono said after addressing a post- graduate class at Padjadjaran University.

The plan calls for the grading of manufacturers into five groups, starting at the top for those who have fine records in environmental protection to the bottom ranking for those with the poorest records.

The plan is by no means dead, Sarwono said, stressing that the government hopes to phase it in, starting with manufacturers which discharge effluent into rivers.

He also warned that the government is considering new legislation to force manufacturers to accept periodic environmental auditing by an independent agency.

So far, only the oil giant, Caltex Indonesia, in Riau and the pulp and paper producer, PT Inti Indorayon Utama, in North Sumatra have voluntarily conducted environmental auditing.

"All manufacturers must carry out this auditing. We can force them by introducing legislation," the minister said.

He acknowledged that at present the auditing is being carried out by foreign consultants. The Association of Indonesian Consultants has promised to prepare their members for the task in the near future.

He said the government had no intention of providing the expertise. "That's the business of the consultants." (pet/emb)