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Thames EnvironmentUK environmental compliance guidelines

Acts and regulations behind UK environmental compliance

The primary and secondary legislation cited in our guides, newest first, with links to the official text on legislation.gov.uk. Check the “latest available (revised)” version on that site: many of these instruments have been amended since they were made.

LegislationYearApplies inExplained in
Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Amendments and Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/790)2026EBiodiversity net gain (BNG) for development in England
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Calculation of CBAM Rate and Determination of Carbon Price Relief) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/809)2026EWSNIUK carbon border adjustment mechanism (UK CBAM) from 2027
Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 20262026EWaste duty of care and waste transfer notes
Environmental Permitting (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/873)2026EWaste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits)
Finance Act 2026 (mass balance and pre-consumer waste changes from 1 April 2027)2026EWSNIPlastic packaging tax, UK carbon border adjustment mechanism (UK CBAM) from 2027
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 (SI 2026/392)2026EWSNIUK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 20262026EWSNIESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme)
Waste (Digital Tracking) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/729)2026EMandatory digital waste tracking
Waste (Digital Tracking) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/145)2026SMandatory digital waste tracking
Workplace Recycling (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (WSI 2026/71)2026WWorkplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes
Climate Change Agreements (Administration and Eligible Facilities) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/813)2025EWSNIClimate change agreements and the Climate Change Levy
Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/67)2025ENIDeposit return scheme for drinks containers (from October 2027)
Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/140)2025EWorkplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes
The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 20252025SEnvironmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/910)2025EWSNIWEEE regulations: producers, retailers and online marketplaces
Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 20242024EBiodiversity net gain (BNG) for development in England
Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 20242024ESingle-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges
Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 (SI 2024/1332)2024EWSNIPackaging EPR (extended producer responsibility for packaging)
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (applies in Northern Ireland)2024NIF-gas regulations for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps
Energy Act 2023 (Part 11: Energy savings opportunity schemes)2023EWSNIESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme)
Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc. and Polystyrene Containers etc.) (England) Regulations 20232023ESingle-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges
Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 20232023WSingle-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges
Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 20232023EPackaging EPR (extended producer responsibility for packaging)
Procurement Act 20232023EWSNIISO 14001:2026 environmental management systems
Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries (applies in Northern Ireland)2023NIBattery regulations: producer responsibility and take-back
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 20232023EWSNIESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme)
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 20232023EEnvironmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs
Workplace Recycling (Wales) Regulations 2023 and fixed penalty provisions (WSI 2023/1290)2023WWorkplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes
Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/31)2022EWSNIUK Sustainability Reporting Standards and climate disclosures
Limited Liability Partnerships (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 20222022EWSNIUK Sustainability Reporting Standards and climate disclosures
Plastic Packaging Tax (General) Regulations 20222022EWSNIPlastic packaging tax
Environment Act 2021 (framework for many of the obligations an EMS must track)2021EWSNIISO 14001:2026 environmental management systems
Environment Act 2021, Part 6 (nature and biodiversity)2021EBiodiversity net gain (BNG) for development in England
Environment Act 2021, Schedule 4 (producer responsibility obligations)2021EWSNIPackaging EPR (extended producer responsibility for packaging)
Environment Act 2021, Schedule 8 (deposit schemes)2021EWSNIDeposit return scheme for drinks containers (from October 2027)
Environment Act 2021, sections 58 and 59 (waste tracking)2021EWSNIMandatory digital waste tracking
Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 20212021SSingle-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges
Finance Act 2021, Part 2 (plastic packaging tax)2021EWSNIPlastic packaging tax
Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 (as amended)2020SDeposit return scheme for drinks containers (from October 2027)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 (SI 2020/1265)2020EWSNIUK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (medium combustion plant and specified generators)2018EWMedium combustion plant and specified generator permits
The Companies (Directors' Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 20182018EWSNISECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)
The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 20182018SEnvironmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs, Medium combustion plant and specified generator permits, Waste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits), Waste exemptions: when you can operate without a permit
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, Schedule 3 (exempt waste operations)2016EWWaste exemptions: when you can operate without a permit
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, regulation 38 (offences)2016EWWaste exemptions: when you can operate without a permit
Hazardous Waste (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2016 (removal of premises registration in England)2016EHazardous waste: classification, consignment notes and returns
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 20162016EWEnvironmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs, Medium combustion plant and specified generator permits, Trade effluent consents, water discharge permits and abstraction licences
Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/962)2015EWMinimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for let property
Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/310)2015EWSF-gas regulations for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps
Food Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20152015NIWorkplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes
Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015 (as amended)2015ESingle-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges
Regulation (EU) 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (retained in Great Britain)2014EWSF-gas regulations for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 20142014EWSNIESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme)
The Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20132013NIEnvironmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3113)2013EWSNIWEEE regulations: producers, retailers and online marketplaces
Climate Change Agreements (Administration) Regulations 20122012EWSNIClimate change agreements and the Climate Change Levy
Waste (Scotland) Regulations 20122012SWorkplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes
Energy Act 2011, Chapter 2 of Part 1 (private rented sector energy efficiency)2011EWMinimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for let property
Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 20112011EWWaste duty of care and waste transfer notes
Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, regulation 24 (specified persons)2011EWWaste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits)
Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, section 632009SMinimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for let property
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/890)2009EWSNIBattery regulations: producer responsibility and take-back
Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 20082008EWSNIBattery regulations: producer responsibility and take-back
Climate Change Act 2008, Part 3 (trading schemes)2008EWSNIUK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Schedule 72008EWSNISECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)
The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 20082008EWSNISECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)
Companies Act 20062006EWSNISECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)
Companies Act 2006, section 414C (contents of strategic report)2006EWSNIUK Sustainability Reporting Standards and climate disclosures
Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 20052005EWHazardous waste: classification, consignment notes and returns
Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20052005NIHazardous waste: classification, consignment notes and returns
The Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20032003NIEnvironmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs, Waste exemptions: when you can operate without a permit
Finance Act 2000, Schedule 6 (Climate Change Levy)2000EWSNIClimate change agreements and the Climate Change Levy
Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 19991999NIWaste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits)
Water (Northern Ireland) Order 19991999NITrade effluent consents, water discharge permits and abstraction licences
Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 19971997NIWaste duty of care and waste transfer notes
Special Waste Regulations 19961996SHazardous waste: classification, consignment notes and returns
Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 19911991EWSWaste duty of care and waste transfer notes
Water Industry Act 1991, section 118 (consents for trade effluent)1991EWTrade effluent consents, water discharge permits and abstraction licences
Water Resources Act 1991, Part II (abstraction and impounding)1991EWTrade effluent consents, water discharge permits and abstraction licences
Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34 (duty of care)1990EWSWaste duty of care and waste transfer notes
Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 45AZF (compliance notices)1990EWorkplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes
Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Schedule 7A (biodiversity gain in England)1990EBiodiversity net gain (BNG) for development in England
Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 19891989EWSWaste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits)
Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968, section 261968STrade effluent consents, water discharge permits and abstraction licences