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Thames EnvironmentUK environmental compliance guidelines

Regulatory updates

What has changed in UK environmental regulation and what is confirmed to come, newest first. Each entry links to the guide it affects and to the primary source. Subscribe to the RSS feed to follow changes.

  1. Plastic wet wipes ban dates confirmed for all four nations

    Wales 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.

    Affects: Single-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges. Source

  2. Digital waste tracking becomes mandatory in England and Wales

    Operators of permitted and licensed sites receiving waste must record each load within two working days. Scotland and Northern Ireland follow on 1 January 2027.

    Affects: Mandatory digital waste tracking. Source

  3. FCA finalises UK SRS disclosure rules for listed companies

    Policy 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.

    Affects: SECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting). Source

  4. Government says DESNZ will consult on ESOS and SECR reform

    The 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.

    Affects: ESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme). Source

  5. Consultation proposes moving SECR out of the directors' report

    The 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.

    Affects: SECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting). Source

  6. Maximum fly-tipping fixed penalty in England rises to £5,000

    The 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.

    Affects: Waste duty of care and waste transfer notes. Source

  7. UK ETS expansion to waste incineration will not happen in 2028

    The 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.

    Affects: UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Source

  8. Wales appoints Exchange for Change as its deposit management organisation

    The Welsh Government confirmed an October 2027 launch covering PET, metal and glass drinks containers, with a four-year transition for glass.

    Affects: Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (from October 2027). Source

  9. Environment Agency consults on changes to its enforcement and sanctions policy

    The 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.

    Affects: Environmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs. Source

  10. New BNG exemptions and rules for minor development take effect

    SI 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.

    Affects: Biodiversity net gain (BNG) for development in England. Source

  11. UK CBAM regulations and HMRC guidance published

    SI 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.

    Affects: UK carbon border adjustment mechanism (UK CBAM) from 2027. Source

  12. Environment Agency publishes ESOS Phase 4 compliance guidance

    Full Phase 4 guidance confirms the 31 December 2026 qualification date, the 5 December 2027 compliance date and the 5 December 2028 action plan deadline.

    Affects: ESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme). Source

  13. ESOS Phase 4 amendment regulations come into force

    The 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.

    Affects: ESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme). Source

  14. England's waste carrier permitting regulations made

    SI 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.

    Affects: Waste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits). Source

  15. Plastic film collection deadline moved to 1 April 2030 in England

    Defra 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.

    Affects: Workplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes. Source

  16. Defra publishes BNG amendments and transitional arrangements

    Defra confirmed the 6 August 2026 changes and said further exemptions for conservation-led development and parks, and changes to the metric, will follow.

    Affects: Biodiversity net gain (BNG) for development in England. Source

  17. Domestic shipping joins the UK ETS

    Ships 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.

    Affects: UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Source

  18. Waste (Digital Tracking) (England) Regulations 2026 made

    SI 2026/729 sets the 1 October 2026 start date, the data to be recorded and the civil sanctions, including a £1,000 fixed penalty.

    Affects: Mandatory digital waste tracking. Source

  19. Government confirms EPC B by 2031 for larger commercial buildings and drops the 2027 EPC C step

    The 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.

    Affects: Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for let property. Source

  20. Defra confirms no change to GB F-gas phase-down steps in 2026

    After 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.

    Affects: F-gas regulations for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. Source

  21. SECR review recommends keeping the regime with amendments

    DESNZ'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.

    Affects: SECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting). Source

  22. ISO 14001:2026 published

    The revised environmental management standard adds climate-related risk, life cycle and change management requirements; 2015 certificates remain valid during the transition period.

    Affects: ISO 14001:2026 environmental management systems. Source

  23. Waste exemption charges updated in England

    The 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.

    Affects: Waste exemptions: when you can operate without a permit. Source

  24. Wales extends workplace WEEE separation to all small electricals

    The 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.

    Affects: Workplace recycling rules: Simpler Recycling and the devolved regimes. Source

  25. Climate Change Levy rates and CCA discounts updated

    Main 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.

    Affects: Climate change agreements and the Climate Change Levy. Source

  26. Environment Agency permit charges rise by 3.8%

    Most Environment Agency environmental permit charges increased in line with CPI, and enhanced pre-application advice rose to £103.80 an hour plus VAT.

    Affects: Environmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs. Source

  27. Welsh hazardous waste producer registration becomes free

    Natural Resources Wales removed the registration fee for premises producing or holding more than 500kg of hazardous waste; annual registration is still required.

    Affects: Hazardous waste: classification, consignment notes and returns. Source

  28. Plastic packaging tax rate rises to £228.82 per tonne

    The rate increased in line with CPI from £223.69 for components manufactured or imported on or after 1 April 2026.

    Affects: Plastic packaging tax. Source

  29. Finance Act 2026 sets mass balance and pre-consumer waste changes for 1 April 2027

    Chemically 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.

    Affects: Plastic packaging tax. Source

  30. Reform of UK battery regulations signalled but not yet consulted on

    Industry 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.

    Affects: Battery regulations: producer responsibility and take-back. Source

  31. Decarbonisation readiness required for new generating plant permits in England

    Permit applications for new or substantially refurbished in-scope generating plant in England must now include a decarbonisation readiness report.

    Affects: Environmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs. Source

  32. UK SRS S1 and S2 published

    The Department for Business and Trade published the UK-endorsed versions of IFRS S1 and S2 for voluntary use.

    Affects: UK Sustainability Reporting Standards and climate disclosures. Source

  33. EPC C for private rented homes by 1 October 2030 confirmed

    The 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.

    Affects: Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for let property. Source

  34. New climate change agreements scheme begins

    Target 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.

    Affects: Climate change agreements and the Climate Change Levy. Source

  35. PackUK publishes RAM-integrated indicative fees for 2026/27

    Indicative 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.

    Affects: Packaging EPR (extended producer responsibility for packaging). Source

  36. Free allocation review response published

    The second free allocation period will run from 2027 to 2030, aligned with UK CBAM, with aviation free allocation ending on 1 January 2026.

    Affects: UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Source

  37. Scotland moves water, waste and industrial activities into EASR

    CAR, PPC and waste management licensing were replaced by the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, with most existing authorisations converted automatically.

    Affects: Environmental permits: who needs one, how to apply and what it costs. Source

  38. Scottish waste carrier registrations move into EASR

    Carrier and broker registrations in Scotland converted automatically to EASR registrations on 1 November 2025, with new standard conditions applying from 1 April 2026.

    Affects: Waste carrier, broker and dealer registration (and the move to permits). Source

  39. Scottish water discharges and abstractions move into EASR

    CAR 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.

    Affects: Trade effluent consents, water discharge permits and abstraction licences. Source

  40. First packaging EPR notices of liability issued

    PackUK 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.

    Affects: Packaging EPR (extended producer responsibility for packaging). Source

  41. Online marketplaces become WEEE producers and vapes get their own category

    The 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.

    Affects: WEEE regulations: producers, retailers and online marketplaces. Source

  42. Environment Agency updates medium combustion plant permit guidance

    The 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.

    Affects: Medium combustion plant and specified generator permits. Source

  43. Disposable vapes banned across the UK

    The sale and supply of single-use vapes became illegal in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 1 June 2025.

    Affects: Single-use plastics bans, vapes, wet wipes and carrier bag charges. Source

  44. UK DMO appointed to run the deposit return scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland

    The government appointed UK Deposit Management Organisation to deliver the scheme launching on 1 October 2027.

    Affects: Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (from October 2027). Source

  45. Companies Act size thresholds rise, but SECR tests stay the same

    Medium-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.

    Affects: SECR reporting (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting). Source

  46. ESOS net zero requirements deferred beyond Phase 4

    The 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.

    Affects: ESOS Phase 4 (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme). Source