Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 SI 675

The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 were created to standardise environmental permitting and compliance in England and Wales to protect human health and the environment.

Environmental permits are designed to reduce and simplify the administration of industrial facilities and waste management operations.

The regulations apply in England and Wales only.

What are the Environmental Permitting Regulations?

The 2010 Environmental Permitting Regulations replaced the 2007 regulations by extending the range of activities that require an environmental permit. Old licences and authorisations were converted into environmental permits automatically.

Who do the Environmental Permitting Regulations affect?

The regulations affect all regulated facilities that are installations (a full list of installations is available in Schedule 1 of the Regulations), mobile plant, waste operations (including mining waste operations), radioactive substances activities, water discharge and groundwater activities.

What do you have to do?

If your business activities are covered by the permitting regime, you must apply to the Environment Agency for an environmental permit or register a waste exemption.

See our guidance on environmental permits.

Who enforces the regulations?

The Environment Agency and local councils enforce the regulations in England and Wales.

If your business fails to comply with your permit conditions, you may be issued with an enforcement notice. You can be fined or imprisoned if you do not comply with the notice.

Further information

Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 SI 675