Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 will extend the system of environmental permits to cover water discharge consents, groundwater authorisations and radioactive substances regulation.
The first phase of the environmental permitting programme (EPP1) covering industrial activities and waste management came into force in April 2007. This was later extended to cover waste batteries and mining waste. The government is keen to extend this single system of permitting in England and Wales.
The next phase (EPP2) is expected to be introduced in stages to cover:
• water discharge consents, groundwater authorisations and radioactive substances regulation (through the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010)
• and later, water abstraction and impoundment, and waste carriers and brokers.
Draft regulations have been published and are expected to come into force on 6 April 2010.
Environmental Permitting (England Wales) Regulations 2010
Who will EPP2 affect?
EPP2 will affect all businesses that:
• discharge to rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters etc
• discharge substances to groundwater
• use or dispose of radioactive substances or wastes.
Why are the environmental permitting proposals needed?
The proposals will allow businesses and the environmental regulators to move towards a one permit, one regulator, one site regime. This will reduce costs and cut red tape while continuing to protect the environment.
What will you have to do?
If you currently hold a water discharge consent, groundwater authorisation or radioactive substances authorisation you will not have to re-apply. Your consent or authorisation will automatically become an environmental permit when the new regulations come into force.
The permitting framework created under EPP1, which includes applying for environmental permits, registering exemptions, offences, penalties, public registers, and the Environment Agency’s regulatory powers will remain the same.
Further information on environmental permitting phase 2
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010
Defra: Summary of consultation responses to environmental permitting extension (Adobe PDF - 396KB)
Defra: Environmental permitting programme - consultation on government guidance
Defra: Consultation on environmental permitting programme second phase
Welsh Assembly Government: Consultation on environmental permitting programme second phase
