This page provides links to key pieces of relevant environmental legislation. Most of the links will direct you to the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) or Statute Law Database (SLD) websites.
It is important to remember that different parts of the UK have variations in environmental laws.
The future legislation section provides details of environmental legislation that is due to come into force as well as information on proposed developments in environmental law:
Future legislation
If you are implementing an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list of key legislation to start compiling your legislation directory. Remember to check other environmental topics for legislation that may relate to your business activities.
Environmental management systems and environmental reports
All environmental topics
UK-wide
Food and Environment Protection Act 1985
Sets up a licensing system for depositing substances in the sea, and incinerating at sea. Also provides a legal framework for controlling pesticides.
Medicines Act 1968
Pesticides Act 1998
Amends the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 regarding powers to make pesticides regulations and enforcement of pesticide control measures.
England and Wales
Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 SI 880
Bans placing biocidal products (or a new substance for use in a product) on the market without authorisation.
Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2003 SI 429
Amend 2001/880 by introducing a general industry charge.
Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2007 SI 293
Amends 2001/880, including the definitions of 'existing active substance' and 'new active substance'.
- Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 SI 1510 (not available online)
Sets out restrictions on selling, supplying or storing pesticides and precautions to protect the health of humans, the environment, and particularly water, when using pesticides.
Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations 1997 SI 188
Amends 1986/1510, explaining what the regulations cover, how to seize and dispose of pesticides and inform the public.
Plant Health (England) Order 2005 SI 2530
Imposes restrictions on plant and plant products from EU and non-EU countries to prevent the spread of plant pests.
Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations 1997 SI 189
Specifies controls on marketing, advertising, storing and using plant protection products.
Plant Protection Products Regulations 2005 SI 1435
Sets out the approval system for placing plant protection products on the market in England and Wales including enforcement, offences and penalties.
Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations 2005 SI 3197
Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations 2006 SI 1295
Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations 2007 SI 636
Northern Ireland
Biocidal Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 SR 422
Sets out rules for placing biocidal products or new substances used in such products on the market.
Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 SR 302
Amends 2001/422 to clarify that it is the prosecution's responsibility to prove that a biocidal product was not used according to the duty of care in prosecutions under this act.
Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2003 SI 429
Amend 2001/880 and 2001/422 by introducing a general industry charge.
Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 SR 190
Amends 2001/422 to fix defects in implementing Directive 98/8/EC on placing biocidal products on the market. Deals with the effects of EC Regulations on biocidal products already on the market in the UK before the Directive came into force.
- Control of Pesticides Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 SR 414 (not available online)
Defines which pesticides are controlled (amended by later legislation), and require full approval and consent from DARDNI, before they may be advertised, sold, supplied, stored, or used.
- Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 SR 203 (not available online)
Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 SR 469
Amends 1987/414 to clarify the scope, exclusions from the approval process and extend access to information about approvals.
Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 SR 82
Revokes and amends the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993. Implements protective measures for introducing and preventing the spread of organisms harmful to plants or plant products.
Plant Health (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 SR 165
Amends 2006/82 clarifying that material sent via another country that has been processed or could be infected or contaminated by plant pests is no longer the material on the phytosanitary certificate. The certificate must be issued in the transit country.
- Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 SR 371 (not available online)
Controls the sale and supply of plant protection products, mainly agricultural pesticides. Makes it an offence to use or distribute a non-approved pesticide.
Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 SR 470
Specifies controls on marketing, advertising, storing and using plant protection products in Northern Ireland.
Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 SR 526
Sets out the approval system for placing plant protection products on the market in Northern Ireland, including enforcement, offences and penalties.
Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 SR 251
Amends the Biocidal Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 to make further measures to implement Directive 98/8/EC on placing biocidal products on the market.
Plant Protection Products (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 SR 499 (Adobe PDF - 53KB)
Amends 2005/526 to refer to EU Plant Protection Directive.
Scotland
Biocidal Products Regulations 2001 SI 880
Bans placing biocidal products (or a new substance for use in a product) on the market without authorisation.
Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations 2007 SI 293
Amends 2001/880, including the definitions of 'existing active substance' and 'new active substance'.
- Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 SI 1510 (not available online)
Sets out restrictions on selling, supplying or storing pesticides and precautions to protect the health of humans, the environment, and particularly water, when using pesticides.
Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations 1997 SI 188
Amends 1986/1510, explaining what the regulations cover, how to seize and dispose of pesticides and inform the public.
Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations 1997 SI 189
Specifies controls on marketing, advertising, storing and using plant protection products.
Plant Protection Products (Scotland) Regulations 2005 SSI 331
Sets out the approval system for placing plant protection products on the market in Scotland including enforcement, offences and penalties.
Plant Protection Products (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006 SSI 241
Amends 2005/331 to add 21 more active substances that can be used in plant protection products in Scotland.
Plant Protection Products (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 2006 SSI 449
Amends 2005/331 by substituting a new schedule of active substances.
Plant Protection Products (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 SSI 119
Amends 2005/331 to add 14 more active substances that can be used in plant protection products in Scotland.
