EPCG meaning

In practice, an Emergency Planning Consultative group (EPCG) is a multi‑agency forum used to develop, maintain and exercise emergency plans for major‑hazard sites and pipelines, and to coordinate preparedness with Category 1/2 responders. The term is not defined in legislation but is widely used in Great Britain in connection with duties under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (COMAH) and the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996. An EPCG is typically convened or chaired by the local authority emergency planning function and includes the site or pipeline operator, police, fire and ambulance services, health bodies, the GB COMAH Competent Authority (HSE and the relevant environmental agency), and neighbouring authorities. Core functions include: reviewing safety information supplied by operators; informing and testing on‑site and off‑site emergency plans; agreeing warning and communication arrangements; coordinating exercises; and ensuring information to the public within consultation/planning zones. EPCGs usually interface with Local Resilience Forums (England and Wales) or Regional/Local Resilience Partnerships (Scotland). In Northern Ireland, analogous multi‑agency arrangements support the Control of Major Accident Hazards (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015 and pipeline safety duties; EPCG is used descriptively. In Ireland, similar consultation for Seveso sites occurs under the 2015 Seveso Regulations, though the EPCG label is not used...