The Scottish Atmosphere Safety Company (SEPA) says it’s searching for views on proposed modifications to how environmental actions are regulated in Scotland.
Earlier this yr, SEPA consulted on how a brand new framework could be carried out to streamline and simplify the regulation of actions throughout the 4 predominant regulatory regimes: water, waste administration, radioactive substances and industrial actions, at present referred to as air pollution, prevention and management (PPC). Total, round 84% of respondents agreed to the proposed method on the sort, tier and wording of the actions and authorisations.
Now, regulated companies, commerce associations and different stakeholders are being inspired to have their say on proposed modifications to utility and subsistence costs and the authorisation situations utilized to actions regulated utilizing a registration-level authorisation.
SEPA’s two new consultations will inform the following steps for implementing the Built-in Authorisation Framework for regulation of waste administration, water and industrial actions. The framework, established by the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Laws 2018 (EASR 2018), goals to supply an easier, built-in system for environmental regulation that’s simpler for companies and people to grasp.
Sandra Powerful, Head of Allowing at SEPA, mentioned: “Our newest consultations on regulatory charging and commonplace situations current a possibility for companies to have their say and assist us guarantee environmental regulation stays honest and proportionate.
“We want to hear from the businesses and organisations that we regulate, industry bodies, and other individuals interested in the environment. Your views will help us develop an effective and consistent regulatory framework to better protect the environment while supporting businesses to make informed decisions about carrying out regulated activities and improving the transparency of how we regulate.”
Updating costs and introducing commonplace situations
Whereas most costs will stay the identical underneath the brand new framework, there could also be a rise or lower in utility and/or subsistence costs for some regulated actions the place there are proposed modifications to authorisation stage or regulatory effort.
SEPA’s charging session outlines the proposed modifications and explains the reasoning behind the introduction of any new costs, equivalent to the place a brand new exercise is being regulated. It additionally highlights different modifications to regulatory charging that will probably be launched underneath EASR 2018, together with modifications to charging descriptions to make it simpler to grasp the costs that apply to a particular exercise.
The session on commonplace situations units out the proposed guidelines that operators should adjust to underneath the brand new framework for actions regulated utilizing a registration stage authorisation. Using commonplace situations helps take away inconsistencies in how companies are regulated, benefiting operators by making a stage enjoying area and serving to SEPA help companies make knowledgeable choices whereas guaranteeing the surroundings is protected.
stakeholders are invited to affix SEPA at a collection of on-line session info occasions, starting 12 September 2024.
You’ll be able to reply to the consultations on-line by way of SEPA’s Session Hub. The session on charging closes on 13 October and commonplace situations closes on 24 November.
