Environmental Update (March 2010)
Environmental Permitting Extended
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 (known
as '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 (known as 'EPP2') will cover:
- Water discharge consents, groundwater authorisations and
radioactive substances regulation; and
- 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.
Who will be affected?
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.
What do you have to do?
In most cases, very little. 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.
If you have any questions relating to environmental
permitting then please contact the Mentor 24/7 Advice line on 0800
634 7006.