The next step

http www environment agency gov uk business topics permitting default aspx

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http www opsi gov uk si si2010 draft ukdsi 9780111491423 en 1

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New permitting regulations

All change. The new Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (EPR) came into force on April 6. This move extends the scheme to ease the administrative burden for businesses which have to comply with a number of different environmental protection regulations (see The next step).

What is different? If, as part of your business operations, you discharge any substances to rivers, lakes, coastal waters or groundwater, or use or dispose of any radioactive substances or wastes, you would previously have held a water discharge consent, groundwater authorisation or radioactive substances authorisation, as part of your agreement with the Environment Agency (EA). But your consent or authorisation, will now be converted to an environmental permit and fall under the EPR instead.

So, nothing’s changed? No, not really. If you currently hold a licence under the previous authorisation regime, you don’t need to re-apply to the EA for new permission - it will automatically become an environmental permit.

So why the new law? The government is keen to include more and more environmental protection regulation in one single permitting system, which will hopefully reduce the admin burden on some companies that have to comply with separate regulatory regimes that are, ultimately, very similar. So, in fact, this is quite a positive move from the government.

Tip. If you’re discharging to the ground etc., or hold radioactive materials, and don’t have an authorisation or a consent, now is the time to get a permit from the EA. Failing to hold an appropriate one could lead to criminal charges (see The next step).

For further information on the EPR (EN 04.11.01A) and the permit application process (EN 04.11.01B), visit http://environment.indicator.co.uk.