https://thamesenvironment.com/updates/ Dated changes to UK environmental regulation relevant to business, with sources. en-gb https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/single-use-plastics-bans/single-use-plastics-bans-2026-10-03-plastic-wet-wipes-ban-dates-confirmed-foSat, 03 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000Wales goes first on 18 December 2026, followed by Northern Ireland on 18 May 2027, England on 19 May 2027 and Scotland on 11 August 2027. Source: https://britbrief.co.uk/environment/climate/uk-plastic-wet-wipe-ban-rollout-dates-confirmed.html https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/digital-waste-tracking/digital-waste-tracking-2026-10-01-digital-waste-tracking-becomes-mandatoryThu, 01 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000Operators of permitted and licensed sites receiving waste must record each load within two working days. Scotland and Northern Ireland follow on 1 January 2027. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-receipt-of-waste https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/secr/secr-2026-09-30-fca-finalises-uk-srs-disclosure-rules-foWed, 30 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000Policy statement PS26/19 requires in-scope listed issuers to report against UK SRS on a comply-or-explain basis for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027. Source: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/policy/ps26-19.pdf https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/esos/esos-2026-09-07-government-says-desnz-will-consult-on-esMon, 07 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Modernising corporate reporting consultation states that DESNZ intends to consult on ESOS and SECR later in 2026. No changes beyond Phase 4 are yet in law. Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6aa913c42344967b89b087ed/modernising-corporate-reporting-consultation-document.pdf https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/secr/secr-2026-09-07-consultation-proposes-moving-secr-out-ofMon, 07 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Modernising corporate reporting consultation, open until 30 November 2026, proposes abolishing the directors' report and letting companies place SECR disclosures anywhere in the first half of the annual report. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-corporate-reporting https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/waste-duty-of-care/waste-duty-of-care-2026-09-01-maximum-fly-tipping-fixed-penalty-in-engTue, 01 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 raised the maximum fixed penalty councils can issue for fly-tipping from £1,000 to £5,000 from 1 September 2026. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/816/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/uk-ets/uk-ets-2026-08-26-uk-ets-expansion-to-waste-incineration-wWed, 26 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000The UK ETS Authority confirmed in August 2026 that waste incineration will not join the scheme in 2028 as planned; a new timeline is to follow and voluntary monitoring continues. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-uk-ets-policy-overview/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-uk-ets-a-policy-overview https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/deposit-return-scheme/deposit-return-scheme-2026-08-20-wales-appoints-exchange-for-change-as-itThu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Welsh Government confirmed an October 2027 launch covering PET, metal and glass drinks containers, with a four-year transition for glass. Source: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-appointment-deposit-management-organisation-wales https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/environmental-permits/environmental-permits-2026-08-10-environment-agency-consults-on-changes-tMon, 10 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Environment Agency consulted until 4 October 2026 on proposed changes, including how it would use new civil sanctions for water companies. These are proposals only. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/enforcement-and-sanctions-policy-updates-on-new-water-and-waste-enforcement-powers https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/biodiversity-net-gain/biodiversity-net-gain-2026-08-06-new-bng-exemptions-and-rules-for-minor-dThu, 06 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000SI 2026/790 exempts non-major sites of 0.2 hectares or less and temporary permissions of five years or less, lets minor development go straight to off-site units, and removes the self-build exemption for applications made from 6 August 2026. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/790/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/uk-cbam/uk-cbam-2026-07-31-uk-cbam-regulations-and-hmrc-guidance-puFri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000SI 2026/809 sets out how the CBAM rate and carbon price relief are determined, and HMRC published its force-of-law notice and reference document ahead of the 1 January 2027 start. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/809/contents/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/esos/esos-2026-07-30-environment-agency-publishes-esos-phase-Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000Full Phase 4 guidance confirms the 31 December 2026 qualification date, the 5 December 2027 compliance date and the 5 December 2028 action plan deadline. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/comply-with-the-energy-savings-opportunity-scheme-esos-phase-4 https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/esos/esos-2026-07-22-esos-phase-4-amendment-regulations-come-Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000The ESOS (Amendment) Regulations 2026 removed DEC and Green Deal routes, added an action plan review, per-measure savings reporting and a third progress update, and eased requirements for ISO 50001 participants. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/701/contents/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/waste-carrier-licence/waste-carrier-licence-2026-07-22-england-s-waste-carrier-permitting-regulWed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000SI 2026/873 replaces carrier, broker and dealer registration in England with environmental permits from 22 July 2027, with transitional provisions from 12 August 2026 and competence and criminal-record checks for applicants. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/873/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/workplace-recycling/workplace-recycling-2026-07-16-plastic-film-collection-deadline-moved-tThu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000Defra announced that mandatory collection of flexible plastics from workplaces and households will be delayed from 31 March 2027 to 1 April 2030; regulations are still to be amended. Source: https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/defra-confirms-delay-to-mandatory-collections-of-flexible-plastics/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/biodiversity-net-gain/biodiversity-net-gain-2026-07-14-defra-publishes-bng-amendments-and-transTue, 14 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000Defra confirmed the 6 August 2026 changes and said further exemptions for conservation-led development and parks, and changes to the metric, will follow. Source: https://defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/14/biodiversity-net-gain-amendments-and-transitional-arrangements-published/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/uk-ets/uk-ets-2026-07-01-domestic-shipping-joins-the-uk-etsWed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000Ships of 5,000 GT and above on domestic voyages and in UK ports became liable for CO2, methane and nitrous oxide emissions from 1 July 2026. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-uk-ets-policy-overview/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-uk-ets-a-policy-overview https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/digital-waste-tracking/digital-waste-tracking-2026-06-24-waste-digital-tracking-england-regulatioWed, 24 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000SI 2026/729 sets the 1 October 2026 start date, the data to be recorded and the civil sanctions, including a £1,000 fixed penalty. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/729/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/mees/mees-2026-06-18-government-confirms-epc-b-by-2031-for-laThu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000The interim response to the non-domestic MEES consultation sets EPC B by 2031 for privately rented buildings over 1,000 m² where cost-effective, keeps E for smaller buildings and leaves enforcement changes to a later response. Source: https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2026/09/nondomestic-mees-uk-government-confirms-epc-b-target-for-larger-commercial-buildings-from-2031 https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/f-gas-regulations/f-gas-regulations-2026-05-16-defra-confirms-no-change-to-gb-f-gas-phaSat, 16 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000After reviewing consultation responses, Defra said it would not legislate in 2026 to alter the HFC phase-down due from 1 January 2027 and would publish next steps later; the existing 24% step stands. Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/uk-news/defra-delays-gb-f-gas-phase-down/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/secr/secr-2026-05-15-secr-review-recommends-keeping-the-regimFri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000DESNZ's post-implementation review found SECR broadly effective and recommended amendments such as a standard template and clearer guidance, subject to a consultation planned for 2026. Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0dbf75faac4bc0b0e906af/2026-streamlined-energy-and-carbon-reporting-post-implementation-review.pdf https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/iso-14001/iso-14001-2026-04-15-iso-14001-2026-publishedWed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000The revised environmental management standard adds climate-related risk, life cycle and change management requirements; 2015 certificates remain valid during the transition period. Source: https://blog.ansi.org/anab/iso-14001-2026-key-changes-and-how-to-prepare/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/waste-exemptions/waste-exemptions-2026-04-15-waste-exemption-charges-updated-in-englaWed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Environment Agency's exemption charges page was updated with the current £58.13 registration fee and compliance charges from £31.14 to £1,282.97 per exemption. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/waste-exemption-charges https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/workplace-recycling/workplace-recycling-2026-04-06-wales-extends-workplace-weee-separation-Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Workplace Recycling (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 require all small waste electrical and electronic equipment, not just unsold items, to be separated at workplaces from 6 April 2026. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2026/71 https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/climate-change-agreements/climate-change-agreements-2026-04-01-climate-change-levy-rates-and-cca-discouWed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000Main rates rose to £0.00801 per kWh for electricity and gas; CCA discounts are 92% for electricity and 89% for gas. Rates from April 2027 have also been announced. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change-levy-rates https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/environmental-permits/environmental-permits-2026-04-01-environment-agency-permit-charges-rise-bWed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000Most Environment Agency environmental permit charges increased in line with CPI, and enhanced pre-application advice rose to £103.80 an hour plus VAT. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/environment-agency-fees-and-charges https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/hazardous-waste/hazardous-waste-2026-04-01-welsh-hazardous-waste-producer-registratWed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000Natural Resources Wales removed the registration fee for premises producing or holding more than 500kg of hazardous waste; annual registration is still required. Source: https://naturalresources.wales/permits-and-permissions/waste-permitting/register-or-renew-as-a-hazardous-waste-producer/?lang=en https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/plastic-packaging-tax/plastic-packaging-tax-2026-04-01-plastic-packaging-tax-rate-rises-to-228-Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000The rate increased in line with CPI from £223.69 for components manufactured or imported on or after 1 April 2026. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-to-register-for-plastic-packaging-tax https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/plastic-packaging-tax/plastic-packaging-tax-2026-04-01-finance-act-2026-sets-mass-balance-and-pWed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000Chemically recycled plastic attributed under a mass balance scheme will count towards the 30% test, and pre-consumer waste will stop counting as recycled, from 1 April 2027. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/11/contents https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/battery-regulations/battery-regulations-2026-03-04-reform-of-uk-battery-regulations-signallWed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000Industry commentary in 2026 reports that Defra intends to consult on replacing the 2009 Regulations with higher collection targets and new categories; no consultation or regulations have been published. Source: https://eprcompliance.co.uk/blog/battery-regulations-uk-2026/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/environmental-permits/environmental-permits-2026-02-28-decarbonisation-readiness-required-for-nSat, 28 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000Permit applications for new or substantially refurbished in-scope generating plant in England must now include a decarbonisation readiness report. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/154/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/sustainability-reporting/sustainability-reporting-2026-02-25-uk-srs-s1-and-s2-publishedWed, 25 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000The Department for Business and Trade published the UK-endorsed versions of IFRS S1 and S2 for voluntary use. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-sustainability-reporting-standards-uk-srs-s1-and-uk-srs-s2 https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/mees/mees-2026-01-22-epc-c-for-private-rented-homes-by-1-octoThu, 22 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000The government set a single 2030 deadline for all tenancies using the reformed EPC's dual-metric standard, a £10,000 cost cap and a £30,000 maximum penalty, with regulations to follow. Source: https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2026/01/22/domestic-private-rented-properties-required-to-meet-epc-band-c-by-october-2030/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/climate-change-agreements/climate-change-agreements-2026-01-01-new-climate-change-agreements-scheme-begThu, 01 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000Target period 7 of the six-year scheme runs from 1 January to 31 December 2026, with reduced CCL rates certified to 31 March 2033 for facilities that meet their obligations. Statutory guidance was published on 24 February 2026. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/813/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/packaging-epr/packaging-epr-2025-12-20-packuk-publishes-ram-integrated-indicatiSat, 20 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000Indicative red, amber and green fees per material for the 2026/27 scheme year were published in December 2025; PackUK has said final year-2 fees depend on checking all producer data. Source: https://www.wastepackgroup.co.uk/2025/12/20/packuk-integrated-pepr-indicative-fees/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/uk-ets/uk-ets-2025-11-26-free-allocation-review-response-publisheWed, 26 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000The second free allocation period will run from 2027 to 2030, aligned with UK CBAM, with aviation free allocation ending on 1 January 2026. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-uk-ets-policy-overview/uk-emissions-trading-scheme-uk-ets-a-policy-overview https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/environmental-permits/environmental-permits-2025-11-01-scotland-moves-water-waste-and-industriaSat, 01 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000CAR, PPC and waste management licensing were replaced by the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, with most existing authorisations converted automatically. Source: https://beta.sepa.scot/regulation/authorisations-and-compliance/easr-authorisations/moving-to-the-new-regulations/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/waste-carrier-licence/waste-carrier-licence-2025-11-01-scottish-waste-carrier-registrations-movSat, 01 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000Carrier and broker registrations in Scotland converted automatically to EASR registrations on 1 November 2025, with new standard conditions applying from 1 April 2026. Source: https://beta.sepa.scot/regulation/authorisations-and-compliance/easr-authorisations/waste-activities/transporting-waste/transporting-waste-easr-sc-035/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/water-discharge-trade-effluent/water-discharge-trade-effluent-2025-11-01-scottish-water-discharges-and-abstractioSat, 01 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000CAR licences and registrations converted automatically to EASR authorisations on 1 November 2025, with SEPA's tiered general binding rules, registrations and permits now applying to water activities. Source: https://beta.sepa.scot/regulation/authorisations-and-compliance/easr-authorisations/water-activities/ https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/packaging-epr/packaging-epr-2025-10-01-first-packaging-epr-notices-of-liabilityWed, 01 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000PackUK began invoicing large producers for 2025/26 disposal fees from October 2025, based on 2024 tonnages and the final base fees published on 30 June 2025. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-illustrative-base-fees https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/weee-regulations/weee-regulations-2025-08-12-online-marketplaces-become-weee-producerTue, 12 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 took effect UK-wide, making marketplaces responsible for non-UK sellers' equipment and creating a vapes category. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/910/regulation/1/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/medium-combustion-plant/medium-combustion-plant-2025-07-09-environment-agency-updates-medium-combusWed, 09 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000The GOV.UK guidance on when medium combustion plant needs a permit was updated, confirming the 1 January 2029 permit deadline and 1 January 2030 compliance date for existing 1 to 5 MW plant. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medium-combustion-plant-when-you-need-a-permit https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/single-use-plastics-bans/single-use-plastics-bans-2025-06-01-disposable-vapes-banned-across-the-ukSun, 01 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000The sale and supply of single-use vapes became illegal in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 1 June 2025. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/deposit-return-scheme/deposit-return-scheme-2025-04-24-uk-dmo-appointed-to-run-the-deposit-retuThu, 24 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000The government appointed UK Deposit Management Organisation to deliver the scheme launching on 1 October 2027. Source: https://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/waste-management/deposit-return-scheme/govt-appoints-uk-dmo-drs-06-05-2025 https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/secr/secr-2025-04-06-companies-act-size-thresholds-rise-but-sSun, 06 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000Medium-sized company limits rose to £54 million turnover and £27 million balance sheet for financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2025. The SECR exemption tests remain £36 million, £18 million and 250 employees. Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1303/regulation/2/made https://thamesenvironment.com/guides/esos/esos-2025-02-07-esos-net-zero-requirements-deferred-beyoFri, 07 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000The government confirmed net zero elements will not be mandatory in Phase 4 and thresholds will not be aligned with SECR. A voluntary PAS 51215 route is available. Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-savings-opportunity-scheme-esos