A Brighton-based hair and beauty products firm has been fined £1,500 for failing to comply with packaging regulations.

Capital Hair and Beauty Ltd, of Old London Road, Brighton, pleaded guilty to three offences of breaking environmental rules on packaging at Brighton magistrates yesterday.

In a case brought by the Environment Agency, the company admitted failing to comply with the Producer Responsibility Obligations Regulations in 2000.

The firm had failed to notify authorities it handled more than 50 tons of waste a year and had a turnover of more than £2,000.

If companies go above this threshold they have to be registered, which the firm had not done.

The reason for the register is for recycling and environmental purposes.

The register means producers are responsible for the use and disposal of their packaging.

Capital Hair and Beauty Ltd claimed it did not realise the regulations were in place and had been fully compliant since then.

The court heard how the agency wrote to the company in August 2001 as part of an ongoing enforcement campaign to check its status for registration under the regulations.

A representative of the firm said it had not been aware of the regulations but admitted the breach during a formal interview on January 24, 2002.

Environment protection officer Vanessa Bird said after the case: "These regulations were introduced back in 1997 to ensure the real environmental costs of producing, using and disposing of packaging fall directly on those who produce or use it.

"Every year packaging accounts for 12 million tons of waste in this country.

"The intense pressure on landfill space means that the Environment Agency is aiming to reduce this figure as much as possible."

The company was also ordered to pay £456.14 costs.