The EP Charging Scheme 2011/12 sets out our charges under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
The information provided here is only summary information for those who have already made an application and are familiar with EP and the subsistence charges. If you are not familiar with the scheme and are applying for the first time we suggest you read the charging scheme advice (PDF, 1.6MB).
As of December 2011 the document has been updated with corrections to text and cosmetic changes to formatting.
Structure of the scheme
The scheme is based on the Unified Charging Framework which has three tiers which are linked to the relative risks of an activity:
- Tier 1 - low risk facilities where we only need to record basic details such as the nature of the activity being undertaken, the operator's name and location.
- Tier 2 - medium risk facilities, in most cases based on standard rules.
- Tier 3 - more complex and high risk facilities that require more detailed and individually tailored permits.
Tiers 1 and 2 are split into a number of charging Bands to more accurately link the charge to the risk presented by the regulated activity.
Types of charge
In recovering our costs incurred through regulating EP there are a number of types of charge:
Pre-application
The application charge assumes that a maximum of fifteen hours of our time will be spent in pre-application discussions for each permit application. If, in any particular case, our input to a pre-application discussion begins to exceed this, we will normally be unable to provide additional advice without levying a charge.
Application for a new permit charge
You have to pay an application charge when you apply for a new Environmental Permit. The payment must be submitted with the application.
Subsistence charges
We recover all the costs we incur in the ongoing regulation of a permit through annual subsistence charges.
Variation charges
If you apply to vary your permit, or if you are required to vary your permit by us, you have to pay a variation charge, unless:
- the change is administrative only;
- the change is a request for a fixed condition licence to become a standard permit;
- we have invited a waste facility to become a standard facility.
Depending on the change to the permit you can apply for either:
- an administrative only change
- a minor technical change
- a normal variation
- substantial variation (although this is for a limited number of specific circumstances)
Transfer charges
If you want to transfer your permit you have to pay a transfer charge. You can apply to transfer either part or all of a permit.
Surrender charges
If you want to surrender your permit you have to pay a surrender charge. You can apply to surrender either part or all of a permit.
The different Tiers
Tier 1
There are currently no charges in Tier 1 and so no further details are provided here.
Tier 2 - fixed charges
Tier 2 is for medium risk activities or where we have developed standard processes to regulate them. These charges mainly relate to activities which comply with standard rules, with a small number of exceptions.
Within Tier 2 there are a number of different bands for the different types of charge, e.g. application, variation, transfer, etc. Each band has a fixed charge, although the subsistence charge is modified by a site's compliance rating. The different facilities that fall within Tier 2 are all allocated to a band.
Tier 3 - Opra based charges
Most Tier 3 charges are based on the Opra profile for a site. Opra stands for Operational Risk Appraisal and assesses the risk to the environment by an individual facility. It takes into account the complexity, emissions, location of the facility, the ability of the operator to manage the operations and the compliance rating associated with the permit.
What Tier do my activities come under?
For a list of the activities that come under Tier 2 please see Schedule 1 in the EP charging scheme. If you operate a facility that is not on this list then it will be subject to Tier 3 Opra based charges.
Charges for 2011/12
There are different charges under the EP scheme for Tier 2 and Tier 3 as well as for installations, waste facilities, mining waste operations and mobile plant. As a result there are too many to include here. For details of the charges please see the scheme and advice.
Payment methods
For information on how to pay your application charge please see the information included with the application forms and guidance.
For information on how to pay all billed charges please see the information on the back of the invoice.
Further information
