The Environmental Permitting Regulations came into effect on 6th April 2008 throughout the UK. These replace and extend the scope of the Pollution Prevention Regulations, which have been in force since 2000.

The main aim of the Environmental Permit regulations is still to authorize industrial processes which could have a significant impact on the environment, and it also brings the waste industry into the same regulations.

If you already have a PPC permit, it has automatically become an Environmental Permit, under the same reference number. If you hold an IPPC permit and a Waste Management Licence, this will be merged into one Environmental Permit, and in theory there should be lower fees.

Top tip for new installations: you need a permit before you start to operate, as the transition period for existing installations has now closed. If you start to manufacture before you get your permit, you are committing a criminal offence.