Revised waste exemptions from environmental permitting consultation

The government is revising the list of waste activities that are exempt from environmental permitting.

Regulations have been published and will come into force on 6 April 2010.

Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 SI 3381

What are the permitting exemption proposals?

  • Updated exemptions will be grouped under headings, eg waste use, treatment, disposal and storage at the place of production.
  • Some higher risk activities will be regulated through standard permits.
  • Simple exemptions will need to be renewed every three years.
  • Fewer records will need to be kept for some exemptions.

Who will the revised waste exemptions affect?

The new regulations will affect you if you:

  • operate a waste recycling, recovery or disposal business
  • currently operate under an exemption
  • operate under an Environment Agency low risk position.

If you have an environmental permit, you may find that you only need an exemption under the new regulations.

Further information on waste exemptions

Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 SI 3381
Defra: A consultation on revised waste exemptions from environmental permitting

Relevant NetRegs guidance

Environmental permits