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9th March 2026

Management and Compliance Bulletin - 9th March 2026

Maria Priestley Senior Environmental Consultant

Your monthly update on legislation, guidance, interesting news articles, and webinars from the environmental sector.

Upcoming Legislation

Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) of ISO 14001:2026

The Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) of ISO 14001:2026 is in the approval phase.  

The updated standard is expected to further embed the life cycle perspective, require a management of change process for the Environmental Management System (EMS) and mandate commitments on biodiversity, natural resources and climate change in the policy.  

The ISO 14001:2026 standard is expected to be published in the first half of 2026; this will replace ISO 14001:2015.  

For the full legislation, click here.  

Source: iso.org  

Digital Waste Tracking (Scotland) Regulations 2026

The Digital Waste Tracking (Scotland) Regulations 2026 introduce phase one of Scotland’s mandatory digital waste tracking system, applying to all waste received at permitted facilities (“waste receivers”). The regulations are expected to take effect on 1 January 2027 and apply only in Scotland. 

Waste receivers must record required information in the digital waste tracking system and confirm submission by obtaining a unique record number. Errors must be corrected within one month. Schedule 1 sets out the information to be recorded, including operator details, facility information, transporter details, hazardous waste data, broker/dealer information, transport mode, waste description, hazardous properties, and any special handling requirements. 

Operators must pay a £26 annual system fee. During system outages, they must notify the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) (unless already informed) and keep written records, entering them into the system within seven days of restoration. 

Digitally excluded operators must apply for a “digitally excluded number,” keep written records within two working days of receiving waste, and retain them for three years. 

SEPA will monitor compliance, and offences are established for breaches. Enforcement powers will be provided through amendments to the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Order 2015. 

Across the United Kingdom (UK), phase one of the digital waste tracking system begins in October 2026, and waste receivers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be required to use the system. From 1 January 2027, waste receivers in Scotland will be required to use the system.  

Phase two, from April 2027 at the earliest, will extend requirements to waste producers, carriers, brokers and dealers will be required to use the digital waste tracking system and the system will replace waste transfer and consignment notes. 

A “waste receiver” is a facility carrying out a regulated waste activity under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, excluding household waste and recycling centres. 

For the full legislation, click here.  

Source: greenspace.org  

Guidance

Storing and Spreading Biochar to Benefit Land: RPS 336

This Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to: 

  • have an environmental permit where one is required, 
  • comply with the conditions of your environmental permit, 
  • register an activity as exempt where you are required to do so. 

However, the Environment Agency (EA) will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with these legal requirements, provided that: 

  • your activity meets the description set out in this RPS, 
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS. 

In addition your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not: 

  • cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, 
  • cause a nuisance through noise or odours, 

This RPS applies to storing and spreading biochar (waste code 19 01 18) to benefit the land. 

You must: 

  • only store and spread biochar to benefit the land, where there is a nutrient need, 
  • only store up to ten tonnes of biochar at any one time, 
  • only spread up to one tonne of biochar per hectare over any 12-month period, 
  • only store biochar for up to 12 months before spreading, 
  • store the biochar in a secure place, 
  • store or spread the biochar at least ten metres from any watercourse and 50 metres from any spring, well or borehole, 
  • keep records for two years from the date of the last use of the RPS to show that you have complied with this RPS and make these records available to the EA on request. 

You must only store and spread biochar produced from the pyrolysis of the following waste codes: 

  • 02 01 03 – untreated plant tissue waste from agriculture, horticulture and forestry activities 
  • 02 01 07 – untreated wood waste from forestry activities 
  • 02 03 04 – vegetable waste unsuitable for consumption or processing 
  • 03 01 01 – untreated waste bark and cork 
  • 03 01 05 – untreated sawdust, wood shavings and wood cuttings 
  • 03 03 01 – untreated waste bark and wood. 

Any spreading must comply with the code of good agricultural practice and any requirements for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ). 

You must not: 

  • spread biochar on land that has been frozen for 12 hours or more in the preceding 24 hours, 
  • spread biochar on land that is waterlogged, frozen or covered in snow, 
  • cause a nuisance through dust or particulates. 

This RPS relates to an activity that the EA considers is potentially suitable to be an exemption under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. The RPS may become an exemption in future, but requires a legal change. It will be reviewed by 1 March 2029 and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Users should check regularly for updates. This RPS stays in force until removed from GOV.UK and email alerts are available via the RPS page. 

For the full RPS, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Storing and De-Packaging Recalled Products Containing Asbestos: RPS 367

This RPS does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit where one is required. However, the EA will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with these legal requirements provided that: 

  • your activity meets the description set out in this RPS, 
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS. 

In addition, your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not: 

  • cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, 
  • cause a nuisance through noise or odours, 

This RPS applies to storing and de-packaging recalled goods that are non-hazardous waste but may contain trace amounts of asbestos. This RPS applies to the recalled goods listed on GOV.UK at Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls. 

You must: 

  • be a manufacturer, distributor or retailer of those goods. 

You must not: 

  • remove any asbestos containing sand from its primary packaging, 
  • store recalled goods for more than three months, 
  • carry out any activity other than storing, sorting and de-packaging. 

Storing waste at the site of production (such as a shop, warehouse or distribution centre) does not need a permit as it is covered by non-waste framework directive (NWFD) 2. You can usually consolidate recalled products using reverse logistics at a distribution centre under NWFD 3. You cannot use NWFD 3 and 4 for recalled waste products listed at Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls when they contain asbestos. The conditions of NWFD 3 exclude unbonded asbestos, and NWFD 4 cannot be used where any, including traces of asbestos, are present. 

The EA will review this RPS by 31 January 2027. The EA can withdraw or amend this RPS before the review date if they consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RPS relates to has not changed. You will need to check back from time to time, including at and before the review date, to see if this RPS still applies. This RPS remains in force until it is removed from GOV.UK or is otherwise identified as having been withdrawn.  

For the full guidance note and online notification system, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Storing and Handling Waste Glass Containing Other Wastes: RPS 292

This RPS was first published on 21 May 2024. The EA intends to withdraw this RPS by 31 December 2026. 

For the full guidance note, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Using Wetlands to Improve Treated Effluent Discharge: RPS 260

This RPS was first published on 29 November 2022. The EA updated this on 26 February 2026 to include waste installation and water discharge activity permits. The EA have extended the RPS to cover pumping stations if operated as part of the waste operation and waste installation. 

For the full guidance note, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Data Reporting Obligations for Accredited Packaging Reprocessors and Exporters: RPS 365

This RPS does not change your legal requirement to provide a monthly report to the EA with details of: 

  • the packaging waste you have received, recycled or exported, 
  • the Packaging waste Recycling Notes (PRNs) or Packaging Waste Export Recycling Notes (PERNs) you have issued under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. 

However, the EA will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with this legal requirement in February and March 2026, if your activity meets the description set out in this RPS. 

This RPS applies to the obligation on reprocessors and exporters accredited in England to provide a monthly report to the EA (by 21st of each month) with details of: 

  • the packaging waste they have received, recycled or exported, 
  • the PRNs or PERNs they have issued. 

This RPS applies to the obligation to provide a report: 

  • by 21 February 2026 (for January 2026 data), 
  • by 21 March 2026 (for February 2026 data). 

You must provide the reports for data from January and February 2026 before 21 April 2026 using the online system on GOV.UK. The EA will email you when the online system is ready to use.  

You must maintain up-to-date records using the summary log templates for UK packaging waste provided by the EA. The EA may ask to see your records at any time.  You must comply with your conditions of accreditation. 

The online system is still being developed. This RPS delays the obligation to provide monthly reports until the online system is available. The monthly report for data from March 2026 will also be due before 21 April 2026.  This RPS does not apply to reprocessors and exporters who are accredited in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. 

The EA will review this RPS by 10 April 2026. The EA can withdraw or amend this regulatory position before the review date if they consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RPS relates to has not changed. You will need to check back from time to time, including at and before the expiry date, to see if this RPS still applies. This RPS remains in force until it is removed from GOV.UK or is otherwise identified as having been withdrawn.  

For the full guidance note, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Technical Competence Qualifications for Consolidated Standard Rules Permits: RPS 326

This RPS does not change your legal requirement to comply with the conditions of your environmental permit. However, the EA will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with this legal requirement, provided that: 

  • your activity meets the description set out in this RPS, 
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS. 

In addition, your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and must not: 

  • cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, 
  • cause a nuisance through noise or odours, 

This RPS applies to operators who held one of the following standard rules permits that were consolidated on 18 December 2024. 

This RPS allows operators to gain any additional WAMITAB qualifications required for the new consolidated permits until 31 December 2026. 

SR2008 No 11 and SR2009 No 6

The following have been consolidated into SR2022 No 1: treatment of waste to produce soil, soil substitutes and aggregate: 

SR2008 No 3, No 4 and No 8, and SR2015 No 6

The following have been consolidated into SR2022 No 4: non-hazardous waste recycling with asbestos, hazardous batteries, cable and WEEE storage: 

SR2008 No 1, No 2 and No 6, and SR2015 No 4 and No 5

The following have been consolidated into SR2022 No 5: non-hazardous waste transfer with asbestos, hazardous batteries, cable and WEEE storage: 

SR2008 No 12 and SR2015 No 19

The following have been consolidated into SR2022 No 6: household waste recycling centre: 

You must: 

  • have one of the permits listed in ‘Activity this RPS Applies to’ section that has been consolidated, 
  • apply for and get the additional WAMITAB qualifications required by 31 December 2026. 

There’s more information on the extra qualifications or units required in the England risk tier table on primary competence – CIWM (WAMITAB). 

This RPS will not be extended beyond the expiry date of 31 December 2026. This RPS will expire on 31 December 2026. The EA can withdraw or amend this regulatory position before the expiry date if they consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RPS relates to has not changed. You will need to check back from time to time, including at and before the expiry date, to see if this RPS still applies. This RPS remains in force until it is removed from GOV.UK or is otherwise identified as having been withdrawn.  

For the full guidance note, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

UK Emissions Trading Scheme for Installations: How to Comply

This guidance was first published on 18 May 2022. The EA have updated the guidance on ‘How to Comply’ to take into account the following: 

  • The introduction of the new IT system (METS), and removal of all references to Emissions Trading Scheme Workflow Automation Project (ETSWAP).   
  • The issue of deficit notices to operators that do not surrender sufficient allowances by 30 April in the relevant year.   
  • The 2026 allocation period will be treated separately from the preceding and subsequent allocation periods.  
  • The application for free allocation for the 2027 to 2030 period is now in two stages. 
  • The revised definition of “ceasing operation” has been updated. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Packaging data: What to Collect for Extended Producer Responsibility

This guidance was first published on 24 November 2022. The EA updated this guidance on 17 February 2026 for the collecting several minor fixes for accuracy. The reusable packaging section now explicitly states that reusable packaging must be reported twice. The hired or loaned section clarifies that it is the service provider who must report, not the person hiring or borrowing. The plastic subtypes section adds household drinks containers to the list of packaging types requiring a rigid and flexible split. The tertiary packaging definition has been corrected. The shipment packaging definition covers all tertiary packaging supplied to consumers, not just online or mail order. The section on packaging already supplied by another producer has been rewritten, using “supplied” rather than “reported” as the legal trigger. There are further minor fixes for style. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: Who is Affected and What to do 

This guidance was first published on 28 April 2014. The EA updated the guidance on 12 February 2026 that the compliance schemes can now register producers on the service. This update also adds some clarifications following recent legislation. Note that charities are not exempt from reprocessor or exporter obligations and that you must notify the regulators within 28 days if you stop being a producer.  

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

T28: Sorting and Denaturing Controlled Drugs for Disposal 

This guidance was first published on 28 April 2014. The EA updated the guidance on 3 February 2026 on how to register for this exemption, which is now online and no longer over the phone. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

How to Stop Invasive Non-Native Plants from Spreading

This guidance was first published on 23 September 2014. The EA updated the guidance on 12 February 2026 regarding the ‘Get certificates, assessments and permission to spray plants’ section to link to the new service for applying for an herbicide agreement online in England. This is when using approved chemicals, you must: 

  • hold a certificate of competence for herbicide use, or be supervised by a certificate holder, 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Medium Combustion Plant: Apply for an Environmental Permit  

This guidance was first published on 15 July 2019. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to clarify section ‘Standard rules permits’ the information you must provide when you make your application. The EA have removed the charges in section ‘Charges for standard rules permits’ and given a link to the table of charges already on GOV.UK. The EA have added in the section ‘Bespoke permits’ sub section on decarbonisation readiness. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Specified Generator: Apply for an Environmental Permit  

This guidance was first published on 15 July 2019. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to clarify in the introduction of ‘Standard rules permits’ that standard rules permits are not suitable for specified generators which are also medium combustion plant and are directly associated activities to an Industrial Emission Directive (IED) installation environmental permit.  

Clarified information needed in the following sub-sections: ‘About you’, ‘About your operation’, ‘Management system’, ‘Emission limit value (ELV) compliance verification’ and added sub-section ‘Decarbonisation readiness’. In the section ‘Bespoke permits’, added sub section ‘Decarbonisation readiness’. 

About you

You must provide the operator’s name and address. 

You must declare if you or any relevant member of your organisation has: 

  • any conviction of a relevant offence, 
  • current or past bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against you. 

About your operation

You must select the standard rules permit you are applying for and provide the site or generator’s: 

  • location – site name, address and postcode, 
  • the nomenclature of economic activities (NACE) code for the activity. 

You must also provide: 

  • generator name, 
  • net rated thermal input (MWth), 
  • type of generator – such as engine or turbine, 
  • stack height, 
  • expected annual operating hours and average load in use, 
  • whether it’s in an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), 
  • the distance from places where people live or work (human receptors). 

Management system

You must: 

  • confirm you have a management system, 

ELV compliance verification

As part of your application, you must declare that you will meet all the permit conditions. This includes being able to monitor each individual generator using the monitoring requirements in Monitoring stack emissions: low risk MCPs and specified generators , and being able to meet the ELVs. 

Decarbonisation readiness

As part of your application, you will be asked to declare if you are: 

  • installing or substantially refurbishing any in-scope generators, 
  • voluntarily applying the decarbonisation readiness requirements to existing plant. 

If you are, you must tell us how you are meeting the carbon capture readiness or hydrogen conversion readiness conditions under the decarbonisation readiness requirements of EPR Schedule 25C. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2018 No 1: Specified Generator Tranche B Low Risk, Base Load Operations Between 0 to 5MWth

This guidance was first published on 15 July 2019. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to the new conditions for decarbonisation readiness. Hydrogen has been added as a new fuel type on this rule set with corresponding criteria and ELVs including for blends with natural gas. The addition of Marine Conservation Zone under the meaning of protected habitats.  

Consolidation of tables 3.1 and 3.2 into one table. Reference to TGN5 replaced, and MCERTS monitoring as an option included. These various updates to the interpretation section to improve understanding. 

Decarbonisation readiness requirements in accordance with Schedule 25C of The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations SI 2016 No.1154 apply to new or substantially refurbished plant permitted under this rule set from 28 February 2026. 

2.5 Decarbonisation readiness  

Where an application relating to this permit included a statement that the Carbon Capture Readiness (CCR) conditions or Hydrogen Conversion Readiness (HCR) conditions are met, the operator shall:  

(a) keep a site-specific decarbonisation readiness report,  

(b) review and update the report at intervals not exceeding two years,  

(c) notify the EA where there is a change in the type of technical assessment for any of the plant included in the report,  

(d) provide a copy of the report or findings of any review to the EA on request,  

(e) ensure that the CCR conditions or the HCR conditions are met.  

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2018 No 3: Specified Generator, Tranche B Low Risk, Base Load Operation 0 to 2MWth in Air Quality Management Areas or High Ambient NOx (Existing Permits)

This guidance was first published on 6 September 2018. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 following a consultation. Amendments have been made to Table 2.3 operating technique ‘(e) Any abatement plant should be designed and operated to achieve compliance with the ELV in Table 2.3 in the shortest possible time’. The rule set has been withdrawn for new applications and is now only relevant to existing permit holders. Previous versions of the rule set and General Risk Assessment (GRA) have been removed as they are no longer applicable. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2018 No 4: Specified Generator, Tranche B Low Risk, 0 to 20MWth, Operated Less than 500 Hours a Year

This guidance was first published on 6 September 2018; the EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026. The rule set (and corresponding generic risk assessment) has been brought into HTML format. Conditions have been added for decarbonisation readiness. Hydrogen has been added as a new fuel type on this rule set with corresponding criteria and ELVs, including using a blend with natural gas. Gas oil substitutes have been added as a fuel type with corresponding criteria in SR2018 No 4.  

‘Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)’ has been added under the meaning of protected habitats. The reference to TGN5 has been replaced, and the addition of MCERTS monitoring as an option has been applied. Updates have been made to the interpretation section to improve operators understanding. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2018 No 7: New and Existing, Low Risk, Stationary Medium Combustion Plant

This guidance was first published on 27 March 2023. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to add hydrogen as a new fuel type to this rule set, with corresponding criteria and ELVs, including using a blend with natural gas. Gas oil substitutes have been added as a fuel type to this rule set, with corresponding criteria, and the caps and cowls and non-vertical stacks are now permitted. Clarity has been provided around use in an AQMA where there is a relevant air quality plan with the inclusion of MCERTS monitoring as an option, along with updates to the interpretation section to improve understanding 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2022 No 9: New and Existing, Low Risk, Stationary Medium Combustion Plant Which is a Natural Gas or Hydrogen Boiler 

This guidance was first published on 27 March 2023. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to add hydrogen as a new fuel type on this rule set with corresponding criteria and ELVs, including using a blend with natural gas. Gas oil substitutes have been added as a fuel type on this rule set with corresponding criteria, and the caps, cowls and non-vertical stacks are now permitted. Clarity has been provided around use in an AQMA where there is a relevant air quality plan, with the inclusion of MCERTS monitoring as an option, along with updates to the interpretation section to improve understanding 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2021 No 6: Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Including use of the Resultant Biogas – Installations

This guidance was first published on 20 December 2021. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to standard rules:  

  • ‘Activity 4 – treating biogas and biomethane’ changed (b) and added (d) and (e).  
  • Added technique 21 and 22, 2.5 decarbonisation readiness, 4.2.5 and ‘table 4.2’ captured, treated and stored carbon dioxide.  
  • ‘Interpretation’ added last sentence to ‘accident management plan’ and meaning for ‘CCR’, ‘CCR conditions’, ‘change in type of technical assessment’, ‘decarbonisation readiness’, ‘HCR’ and ‘HCR conditions’.  
  • Generic risk assessment: added 3.4 Accidental release of CO2. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2021 No 7: Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Including use of the Resultant Biogas – Waste Recovery Operation

This guidance was first published on 20 December 2021. The EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to standard rules:  

  • ‘Activity 4 – treating biogas and biomethane’ changed (b) and added (d) and (e).  
  • Added technique 21 and 22, 2.5 decarbonisation readiness, 4.2.5 and ‘table 4.2’ captured, treated and stored carbon dioxide.  
  • ‘Interpretation’ added last sentence to ‘accident management plan’ and meaning for ‘CCR’, ‘CCR conditions’, ‘change in type of technical assessment’, ‘decarbonisation readiness’, ‘HCR’ and ‘HCR conditions’.  
  • Generic risk assessment: added 3.4 Accidental release of CO2. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2021 No 9: On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Including use of the Resultant Biogas – Waste Recovery Operation

This guidance was first published on the 20 December 2021, the EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to standard rules: 

  • ‘Activity 4 – treating biogas and biomethane’ changed (b) and added (d) and (e).  
  • Added technique 21 and 22, 2.5 decarbonisation readiness, 4.2.5 and ‘table 4.2’ captured, treated and stored carbon dioxide.  
  • ‘Interpretation’ added last sentence to ‘accident management plan’ and meaning for ‘CCR’, ‘CCR conditions’, ‘change in type of technical assessment’, ‘decarbonisation readiness’, ‘HCR’ and ‘HCR conditions’.  
  • Generic risk assessment: added 3.4 Accidental release of CO2. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

SR2021 No 10: Anaerobic Digestion of Non-Hazardous Sludge at a Waste Water Treatment Works, Including the use of the Resultant Biogas

This guidance was first published on the 20 December 2021, the EA updated the guidance on 26 February 2026 to standard rules:  

  • ‘Activity 4 – treating biogas and biomethane’ changed (b) and added (d) and (e).  
  • Added technique 21 and 22, 2.5 decarbonisation readiness, 4.2.5 and ‘table 4.2’ captured, treated and stored carbon dioxide.  
  • ‘Interpretation’ added last sentence to ‘accident management plan’ and meaning for ‘CCR’, ‘CCR conditions’, ‘change in type of technical assessment’, ‘decarbonisation readiness’, ‘HCR’ and ‘HCR conditions’.  
  • Generic risk assessment: added 3.4 Accidental release of CO2. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Open Loop Heat Pump Systems: Apply to Install One

This guidance was first published on 1 February 2016. The EA updated the guidance on 23 February 2026 to update the ‘Permit exemption of discharges’ section to link to the updated guidance and registration form for this process. The update for permit exemption for discharges are as follows: 

You may be exempt from needing an environmental permit for discharges from your ground source heating and cooling system if it is any of the following: 

  • A cooled aquifer system with a volume of less than 1,500 cubic metres per day. 
  • A balanced system with a volume of less than 430 cubic metres per day. 
  • A heated aquifer system with a volume of less than 215 cubic metres per day. 

But you must: 

  • be able to meet the conditions of the exemption, 
  • register your exemption. 

Check how to register an exemption for an open-loop ground source heating and cooling system. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)

This guidance was first published on 26 June 2014. The EA updated the guidance on 16 February 2026 to remove the ‘Institution of Chemical Engineers’ from the list of approved registers of ESOS lead assessors. 

For the full updated guidance, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK

Policy Papers

PFAS Plan

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has outlined the UK’s national plan for managing per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aiming to reduce their environmental and health impacts while supporting innovation. The plan focuses on understanding PFAS sources, preventing releases to the environment, and reducing human exposure. Key actions include expanded monitoring, restrictions under UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), improved standards and permitting, stricter controls on PFAS in water and food, and potential product restrictions. The plan also highlights international co-operation and sets out over 70 actions for delivery between 2026 and 2030. 

For the full policy paper, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Consultations

United Kingdom

Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS): Non-Pipeline Transport

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) seeks views on proposed policy positions in the following areas: 

  • Delivery mechanism for support. 
  • Support for Non-Pipeline Transport (NPT) costs. 
  • NPT fee options and cross-chain risk allocation. 
  • Regulatory environment for the NPT solution. 
  • Standardisation and operational considerations. 

Please use the DEFRA online consultation platform to respond. 

For consultation questions 3, 10 and 23, respondents are asked to share any relevant information using the Excel NPT data template. You can complete the form and upload via Question 3 on Citizen Space. DEFRA welcome responses from anyone with an interest in the CCUS policy area. They envisage that this consultation will be of particular interest to: 

  • those developing and intending to use Carbon Dioxide (CO2) non-pipeline transport routes within the UK, for example, dispersed sites in sectors such as greenhouse gas removals, energy from waste, power plants, biomethane, 
  • UK CO2 transport and storage network developers and infrastructure providers, 
  • supply chain companies, 
  • trade bodies, 
  • academics, 
  • prospective investors. 

The consultation closes on 1 May 2026. 

For the full consultation documents, click here.  

Source: GOV.UK 

Digital Waste Tracking Service

DEFRA plan to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking across the UK.  

This paper outlines the policy including: 

  • the benefits of the change, 
  • how the service is being developed, 
  • the expected delivery timelines. 

For the full consultation documents, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Scotland

Proposed Amendments to the Environment Noise (Scotland) Regulation 2006

This consultation seeks your views on amending the 2006 Regulations to change the timing cycles from five years to ten years for all mapping and action plan requirements. 

Views are also sought on the following further changes: 

  • To remove the requirement to review, and if necessary revise, strategic maps whenever a major development occurs affecting the existing noise situation 
  • To reflect the European Union (EU) Environmental Noise Directive amendments extending the time between publication of the noise maps and action plans from one to two years. 

For the full consultation document, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Articles

Enhanced Package of Cutting-Edge Technology to Combat Waste Crime

The EA has introduced new surveillance and enforcement measures to combat waste crime, including an expanded drone fleet with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) capability, a screening tool that flags risky Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) licence applicants, and a strengthened Joint Unit for Waste Crime. These technologies and collaborations have already helped close illegal sites, identify offenders earlier, and support prosecutions. 

For the full press release, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Native Crayfish Population Survives Following Major Incident

Around 100 native whiteclawed crayfish died in the River Wansbeck catchment in autumn 2024. Subsequent surveys across 2025 found widespread nonfatal shell symptoms (orange patches/lesions) in the Wansbeck, Tyne and Blyth catchments. Monitoring indicates most crayfish can recover through moulting, younger individuals fare better, and symptoms have reduced since 2024. No further deaths have been reported. The cause remains unclear, and research continues through Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre.  

The EA and partners are continuing conservation efforts for native whiteclawed crayfish by expanding safe, isolated ‘ark’ sites. Healthy crayfish were rescued from the River Wansbeck, with berried females reared at Northumberland Zoo, their offspring, hatched in April 2025 and will be released into ark sites later this year. The public is urged to follow ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ guidance to prevent the spread of disease symptoms. 

For the full press release, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Enforcement Action

Serial Waste Criminal Forced to Pay Over £1.4 million for Widespread Illegal Dumping

A waste criminal has been ordered to pay over £1.4 million after illegally dumping 4,275 tonnes of waste at 16 sites across England, including farms, a manor house and a nature reserve.  The penalty includes £1.1 million confiscation, £100,000 in compensation, and £200,000 in prosecution costs, alongside a fourmonth suspended sentence, 30 days’ rehabilitation, and 200 hours of unpaid work. Two additional men were prosecuted, with warrants still active for two more.  The offender had previously had £131,520 seized in 2018 and was subject to a restraint order in 2022. They later admitted depositing controlled waste illegally after initially pleading not guilty.  The court described the offending as “reckless”, citing odour, flies, and significant cleanup costs for landowners. None of the sites had the required permits. Compensation will provide £70,000 to Middlesbrough Council and £30,000 to a site in Lancashire. 

To read the full article, click here. 

Source: GOV.UK 

Cura Terrae Services

Environmental Permit Application and Support

Operating legally in the UK often requires businesses to obtain environmental permits and consents. Navigating these applications can be challenging. At Cura Terrae we provide comprehensive support throughout the entire permitting process, from identifying the necessary permits to liaising with the EA or other regulatory bodies on your behalf, streamlining the process.  

Our Environmental Permit Applications and Support services help businesses secure the necessary environmental permits and consents required by law. We offer expert guidance in identifying, preparing, and submitting applications for environmental permits, as well as support in permit variations, surrendering permits, and developing essential management plans. With our service, you can focus on your core business activities while we handle the finer details of environmental compliance. 

For further information, click here.  

Events

Global Recycling Day 2026

18 March 2026  

Recycling plays a vital role in tackling climate change and supporting the circular economy by conserving the planet’s limited natural resources. Global Recycling Day highlights this importance, encouraging collective action to protect the environment. 

By reducing the need for raw material extraction, refining and processing, recycling helps preserve natural resources and saves significant amounts of energy, particularly for materials such as aluminium and paper. It also cuts air and water pollution, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and minimises waste. 

Recyclables are recognised as the Seventh Resource, essential to sustainable development. Treating them as valuable resources promotes responsible consumption and improves waste management practices. 

To review the agenda and register, click here. 

Source: globalrecyclingday.com 

World Water Day

22 March 2026 

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations (UN) Observance focusing on the importance of fresh water.  

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.1 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Six, water and sanitation for all by 2030.  

Every year, UN-Water the UN’s coordination mechanism on water and sanitation sets the theme for World Water Day. In 2024, the focus was on Leveraging Water for Peace, then in 2025, on Glacier Preservation and in 2026, the theme will be Water and Gender.  

For more information and details of how to get involved, click here. 

Source: unwater.org 

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