The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023
Overview
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 are a significant development in the realm of groundwater quality management in England and Wales. These regulations introduce nine amendments to the existing Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, with the aim of optimising regulatory tools for the protection and management of groundwater quality.
The primary purpose of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 is to enhance groundwater quality management. These regulations bring about nine amendments to the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, specifically targeting the permitting of groundwater discharge activities. The amendments aim to optimise the regulatory framework, allowing for a more proportionate and risk-based approach to groundwater activities. The ultimate goal is to protect and improve groundwater quality while reducing unnecessary costs to businesses and ensuring efficient utilization of government resources.
The amendments introduced by the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023:
- provide the Environment Agency (EA) with an improved hierarchy of regulatory controls for groundwater activities;
- broaden the range of pollutants that can be controlled in the groundwater environment and update and clarify control measures within the Regulations;
- enable the EA to issue Standard Rules Permits for groundwater activities with well-understood, assessed, and mitigated generic risks;
- introduce Mobile Plant Permits for groundwater activities where generic risks are well-understood, assessed, and mitigated;
- include exemptions for low-risk activities such as new cemeteries that pose minimal pollution risk to groundwater;
- enable the EA to apply regulatory controls and issue permits for activities that present risks of microbial pollution and heat pollution; and
- update and expand the list of exemptions and clarify the defense for sewerage undertakers in breach of permit conditions.
Therefore, the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 signify a significant advancement in groundwater quality management. These regulations enhance the regulatory framework, providing improved controls and measures for groundwater activities. By optimising the permitting process, expanding pollutant controls, and introducing exemptions and clarifications, the regulations contribute to protecting and improving groundwater quality while minimising unnecessary costs to businesses.
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 were made 13th of June 2023 and will come into force on the 2nd of October 2023.
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 apply to England.
Do the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 affect my business?
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 have positive effects on businesses involved in various sectors that rely on groundwater resources. Industries such as food manufacturing, brewing, and agriculture, which utilise groundwater for irrigation, food processing, livestock raising, and wetland ecosystem habitats, will benefit from these amendments.
The regulations offer businesses a more streamlined and proportionate regulatory approach. The introduction of Standard Rules Permits and Mobile Plant Permits for groundwater activities simplifies the permitting process for activities with well-understood risks. The updated exemptions and clarifications reduce regulatory burdens and costs while promoting growth and innovation within the circular economy.
The amendments introduced by these regulations support various industries reliant on groundwater resources, promoting sustainable practices and facilitating growth and innovation within the circular economy. With a more proportionate and risk-based approach to regulatory controls, the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 foster environmental protection, business efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Do I need the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 in my ISO Compliance Register?
You will need the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 in your ISO Compliance Register if your business utilises groundwater resources.
Legislation related to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023
Legislation related to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 include:
- The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
- Environment Act 1995
- Environment Act 2021
- Environmental Protection Act 1990
More information
Visit the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 article on the legislation.gov.uk website.
Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article (in which you will find the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023) to your Register.
