The latest guidance, consultations and legislation.
Guidance:
Waste
Comes into force: 30 May 2018
England
An Environment Agency Regulatory Position Statement has been produced for businesses who deal with excavated waste from unplanned utilities installation and repair works. If you follow its conditions, you do not need to apply a hazardous waste classification for excavated wastes.
Legislation:
Renewables
Comes into force: 22 May 2018
Wales, Scotland and England
The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2018 make changes to the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme by revoking and replacing the previous 2011 Regulations. They enable owners of power plants which generate heat from specified renewable sources to receive payments for the heat used.
Hazardous substances
Comes into force: 7 June 2018
Europe
Seven Directives have been published amending Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS). They set out a list of exemptions to the general ban on the use of the hazardous substances.
Water quality
Comes into force: 15 June 2018
Wales
The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2018 revoke the previous 2010 Regulations, and deal with the quality of water supplied by water companies for drinking, washing, cooking, food preparation and food production.
Water pollution
Comes into force: 19 June 2018
Scotland
The Environmental Protection (Microbeads) (Scotland) Regulations 2018 prohibit the use of microbeads as an ingredient in the manufacture of rinse-off personal care products, and the sale of any such products containing microbeads.
Consultations:
Flood management
Comes into force: 1 May 2018
Scotland
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency seeks views on the Potentially Vulnerable Areas for Flood Risk Management in Scotland. The consultation takes into account climate change as a major flood risk factor which needs to be accounted for in the next National Flood Risk Assessment. It also asks for comments about the assessment methods used.
Regulators
Comes into force: 10 May 2018
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has developed a consultation on the proposed creation of an independent environmental watchdog to hold the Government accountable for the policies and decisions made in relation to environmental protection after the UK leaves the European Union.
Air quality
Comes into force: 22 May 2018
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is consulting on a new Clean Air Strategy, and on actions to improve air quality by reducing pollution from a wide range of sources.
