March 2019: New regulations

The latest guidance and legislation.

Legislation:

REACH: Pending

The Draft REACH etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 aim to make various amendments in order to ensure the UK has an effective system of chemicals regulation after leaving the EU.

Air emissions: 29 March 2019

The Air Quality (Miscellaneous Amendment and Revocation of Retained Direct EU Legislation) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 amend various pieces of retained EU legislation in relation to air quality. This is to enable the legislation to operate effectively once the UK leaves the EU.

Environmental Impact Assessment: 29 March 2019

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 amend various pieces of legislation in relation to Environmental Impact Assessments. This is to enable the legislation to operate effectively once the UK leaves the EU.

Energy: 29 March 2019

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 amend the financial qualification thresholds for the ESOS Regulations. Currently the thresholds are stated in euros, the amendment converts this to pounds so that the legislation operates effectively after EU exit day.

Climate change: 29 March 2019

The Climate Change Agreements (Amendment of Agreements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 set out a series of changes to be made to all climate change agreements. They address references to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and European guidance which, due to the UK's withdrawal from the EU, will make the agreements ineffective if not amended.

Noise: 31 December 2018

The Environmental Noise (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 amend the noise Regulations in order to apply the EU's common noise assessment methods. They replace the methods of assessment previously used and establish the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs as the relevant department for the Regulations.

Guidance:

Air emissions: 14 January 2019

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published a new Clean Air Strategy which sets out proposals to tackle all sources of air pollution, make our air healthier to breathe, protect nature and boost the economy.

Consultation:

Waste: 16 January 2019

The Welsh government has launched a public consultation related to the search for a suitable site for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for radioactive waste.