The Scottish Atmosphere Safety Company (SEPA) says it’s looking for views on proposed adjustments 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 predominant regulatory regimes: water, waste administration, radioactive substances and industrial actions, at present often called air pollution, prevention and management (PPC). General, 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 adjustments to utility and subsistence fees and the authorisation circumstances utilized to actions regulated utilizing a registration-level authorisation.
SEPA’s two new consultations will inform the subsequent 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) Rules 2018 (EASR 2018), goals to supply an easier, 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 fees and introducing customary circumstances
Whereas most fees will stay the identical beneath the brand new framework, there could also be a rise or lower in utility and/or subsistence fees for some regulated actions the place there are proposed adjustments to authorisation degree or regulatory effort.
SEPA’s charging session outlines the proposed adjustments and explains the reasoning behind the introduction of any new fees, similar to the place a brand new exercise is being regulated. It additionally highlights different adjustments to regulatory charging that might be launched beneath EASR 2018, together with adjustments to charging descriptions to make it simpler to grasp the fees that apply to a particular exercise.
The session on customary circumstances units out the proposed guidelines that operators should adjust to beneath the brand new framework for actions regulated utilizing a registration degree authorisation. Using customary circumstances helps take away inconsistencies in how companies are regulated, benefiting operators by making a degree enjoying subject and serving to SEPA help companies make knowledgeable selections whereas making certain the surroundings is protected.
stakeholders are invited to hitch SEPA at a collection of on-line session data 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.
