The Environment Agency recently announced that it has consolidated 28 existing standard rules permits into 8 new standard rules permits, this was effective from 18th December 2024. This update aims to streamline permitting processes and aligns them with modern standards.
Old Permits Withdrawn:
New applicants will receive one of the new standard rules permits. Existing operators with withdrawn permits will automatically transition to the new corresponding rules.
Transition Period:
A 3-month transitional period is in place before the new rules take effect. During this time, the old permits will remain available on GOV.UK, marked as “withdrawn.
Why Are New Permits Being Introduced?
The updates address several key issues:
- Some of the standard rule sets needed to be updated to modern standards and conditions.
- Some rule sets were not being used and others duplicated.
There was a need to incorporate the Non-hazardous and inert waste: appropriate measures for permitted facilities. Waste codes have been added to some permits due to changes in classification of wastes (e.g. cable).
New Standard Rules Permits:
The new permits are listed below and are available on the Standard Rules Environmental Permits page:
SR2022 No 1: Treatment of waste to produce soil, soil substitutes, and aggregate
SR2022 No 2: Mobile treatment of waste to produce soil, soil substitutes, and aggregate
SR2022 No 3: Construction, demolition, and excavation waste transfer station
SR2022 No 4: Non-hazardous waste recycling with asbestos, hazardous batteries, cable, and WEEE storage
SR2022 No 5: Non-hazardous waste transfer with asbestos, hazardous batteries, cable, and WEEE storage
SR2022 No 6: Household waste recycling centre
SR2022 No 7: Materials recycling facility
SR2022 No 8: Waste wood treatment
Some of the new permits have specified criteria to allow the operation of a waste facility at a specified location, providing that the permitted activities meet location criteria, for example.
- not within 500 metres of a European site, Ramsar, Site of Special Scientific Interest or Marine Conservation Zone; and
- not within a groundwater source protection zone 1.
Outdoor storage and treatment of wastes listed in Table 2.3b (for example; concrete, bricks, tiles, sand, gravels etc) must meet the following location criteria:
- not within 50 metres of a National Nature Reserve, Local Nature Reserve, Local Wildlife Site, Ancient woodland or Scheduled Ancient Monument;
- not within 50 metres of a site that has species or habitats protected under the Biodiversity Action Plan that the Environment Agency considers at risk to this activity;
- not within 250 metres within the presence of Great Crested Newts where it is linked to the breeding ponds of the newts by good habitat;
- not within a groundwater source protection zone 1;
- not within 10 metres of a watercourse; and
- not within a specified Air Quality Management Area designated for particulate matter PM10.
Operators will also have to check they can comply with these changes or apply for a Bespoke permit.
The EA have also brought in guidance under a Regulatory Position Statement (Extension to comply with new standard rules permits: RPS 331).
The above changes may also have an impact on your CIWM competency qualification.
Operators should review the changes to their permits to determine if additional units or qualifications are needed to maintain technical competence.
The Environment Agency will be contacting operators directly to explain these changes.
Olive Compliance Ltd can provide support and guidance in relation to these changes, to ensure you, your activities and environmental management system are compliant with these changes. As an approved CIWM (Wamitab) Centre, Olive Compliance Ltd can also provide the relevant training should additional competence is required.
Please get in touch to discuss further with one of our consultants who are happy who are happy assist. Email: admin@olivecompliance.com Tel: 0191 8183341