What is the Environmental Permitting Programme?
The Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP) is a joint Environment Agency, Defra and Welsh Assembly Government initiative which reduces red tape for industry and regulators, by streamlining and consolidating the nuts and bolts of environmental permitting systems (eg, the processes of obtaining, varying and transferring permits).
EPP guidance booklet (PDF 620KB)
Recent developments
Phase one
The first phase of the programme (EPP1) went live on 6 April 2008. It is a better regulation initiative that replaces over 40 statutory instruments with a single set of Regulations - the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 - one third of the length of the previous legislation. EPP1 delivers more flexibility for industry, a simpler risk-based system for regulators and continued protection of the environment and human health.
Phase two
The second phase of the Programme (EPP2) aims to extend the single system created by EPP1 by integrating and streamlining further environmental permitting regimes, it could include those for water discharge consenting, groundwater authorisation, water abstraction and impoundment, radioactive substances regulation and licensing of some waste carriers and brokers. It could also provide a straightforward means of delivering the permitting and compliance requirements of pipeline EU directives such as those relating to Mining Waste and Batteries. EPP2 will provide industry, regulators and the public with a single regulatory system.
See also
- Environment Agency EPP webpage
- Planning and pollution control interface: improving the way the regimes work together in delivering new development
- EPP Regulation Update on Government’s Businesslink webpage
Contacts
Further information about EPP contact your trade organisation - or the EPP team directly: eppadministrator@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page last modified:24 April 2008
Page published: 28 October 2005