The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) says it has delivered the biggest advancement in environmental legislation since its inception almost three decades ago.
The amendments to the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR), which took effect on Saturday 1 November, are designed to streamline the regulatory landscape, replacing eight pieces of existing environmental legislation on waste management, water and industrial activities.
Targeted at protecting and improving the environment, SEPA says the new regulatory framework also responds confidently to the challenge of public service reform which calls for simplification and more efficient, good quality and effective services across Scotland’s public sphere.
The changes mean applying for an authorisation is simpler and more user-friendly, with one application process for all. Meanwhile, the type of authorisation required is set according to the risk of the activity being carried out, which SEPA says will offer the greatest protection for the environment and reduce regulatory burden where appropriate.
SEPA says the new rules also move the dial on prevention, with enhanced powers to ensure authorisations don’t end up in the wrong hands. In particular, the new legislation significantly strengthens the regulation of the waste sector, which can be disrupted by illegal activity.
In addition, new tools are available to regulators to enable quick interventions when operators are at risk of non-compliance.
Scotland’s environmental regulator says the changes will allow it to focus more resource on front-line regulation.
Nicole Paterson, SEPA CEO, said:
“We’ve implemented a new regulatory framework for the future of our environment. This once in a generation shift in environmental regulation is good news not only for our environment but for legitimate businesses too.
“Making progress on better environmental outcomes is an essential task for us all, and it is achievable. We’re leading by example, transforming our services and delivering a more efficient and more effective public service in the process.”
As set out in the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, SEPA’s statutory purpose is to protect and improve the environment, while contributing to improving the health and well-being of the people of Scotland and to achieving sustainable economic growth.
On 30 April 2025 the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Amendment Regulations were passed by the Scottish Parliament.
