The Scottish Setting Safety Company (SEPA) says it’s looking for views on proposed modifications to how environmental actions are regulated in Scotland.
Earlier this yr, SEPA consulted on how a brand new framework can be carried out to streamline and simplify the regulation of actions throughout the 4 major regulatory regimes: water, waste administration, radioactive substances and industrial actions, at the moment often called air pollution, prevention and management (PPC). Total, round 84% of respondents agreed to the proposed method on the kind, 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 prices and the authorisation circumstances 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 offer a less complicated, built-in system for environmental regulation that’s simpler for companies and people to grasp.
Sandra Robust, Head of Allowing at SEPA, stated: “Our newest consultations on regulatory charging and customary circumstances 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 prices and introducing customary circumstances
Whereas most prices will stay the identical below the brand new framework, there could also be a rise or lower in utility and/or subsistence prices 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 prices, comparable to the place a brand new exercise is being regulated. It additionally highlights different modifications to regulatory charging that will likely be launched below EASR 2018, together with modifications to charging descriptions to make it simpler to grasp the fees that apply to a selected exercise.
The session on customary circumstances units out the proposed guidelines that operators should adjust to below the brand new framework for actions regulated utilizing a registration stage authorisation. The usage of customary circumstances helps take away inconsistencies in how companies are regulated, benefiting operators by making a stage enjoying subject and serving to SEPA assist companies make knowledgeable selections whereas guaranteeing the atmosphere is protected.
stakeholders are invited to affix SEPA at a sequence of on-line session info occasions, starting 12 September 2024.
You’ll be able to reply to the consultations on-line through SEPA’s Session Hub. The session on charging closes on 13 October and customary circumstances closes on 24 November.
