‘Case of failed regulation’: UK environment agency chief on Bhopal gas horror

Noting that no one has yet been held accountable for the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster that killed at least 3,700 people, the head of Britain’s Environment Agency (EA) has said that the incident is a “textbook example of failed regulation”.

James Bevan, former British high commissioner to India and now head of the British agency tasked with protecting the environment, highlighted the importance of ‘good regulation’ in a speech to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

Using the example of the Bhopal disaster, Bevan said good regulation protects people and the environment from harm; creates a level playing field for business, allowing well-run companies to thrive and stopping those who do not want to play by the rules from undercutting them.