Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018: Proposed changes to the Charging Scheme
Overview
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, protecting and improving Scotland’s environment.
The Integrated Authorisation Framework (IAF), established under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR 2018), referred to in this document as ‘the Regulations’, is part of Scottish Government and SEPA’s Better Regulation Programme and aims to deliver a risk-based, proportionate system of environmental regulation. This included a review on SEPA funding and led to the development of a funding model which is applied to the current charging scheme, The Environmental Regulation (Scotland) Charging Scheme 2018 (as amended). Radioactive substances were the first activities to be regulated under the IAF, and in December 2023, the Scottish Government consulted on proposals to bring waste management, water, and pollution prevention control activities under the Regulations.
In January 2024, SEPA consulted on the proposed types of authorisations for each activity under the Regulations. For some activities these proposals will require amendments to existing application and subsistence charges and introduce charges for new activities.
Why your views matter
SEPA must be transparent about the charges for services it provides and follow guidance set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual and Treasury guidance to managing public money when setting those charges. The changes proposed in this consultation are subject to approval by the Scottish Ministers.
This consultation seeks your views on the proposed changes to the charging scheme for activities that will be regulated under the proposed changes to the Regulations.
This consultation:
- Proposes the change in charges for waste, water and industrial activities that will be regulated under the Regulations.
- Provides an explanation as to how the charges were calculated.
- Sets out the new or amended charging descriptions as they would appear in the charging scheme and on SEPA invoices.
- Other changes to how SEPA charge that the Regulations will introduce.
You may find it useful to review the current charging scheme guidance when considering this consultation. SEPA plans to review, update and publish the guidance, once amendments to the charging scheme have been approved by Scottish Ministers and the amended Regulations have come into force.
How we use your feedback
As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, our purpose is to protect and improve Scotland’s environment in ways that, as far as possible, also contribute to improving health and well-being and achieving sustainable economic growth. Our Corporate Plan 2024-2027 sets our strategic ambition and priorities. Our Annual Operating Plans set out how we will implement our priorities every year.
In delivering these priorities we engage with those who have an interest in and/or are affected by our regulations and duties. One way we engage is through formal consultations. This is your opportunity to tell us what you think about our proposals. The feedback we receive helps us to understand what matters most to people and how we can deliver our duties efficiently and effectively.
After the consultation closes, we’ll consider the information we receive before publishing a digest of responses through the We Asked, You Said, We Did section of our consultation website. This will close the consultation process by explaining how we have considered and, where appropriate, acted upon what we heard.
How to respond
Where it is not possible to respond via our consultation hub, you can respond to this consultation by sending an email to iaf@sepa.org.uk. If responding by email, please complete and return the Respondent Information Form with your response.
If you wish to respond another way, please contact us using our online contact form or by phone: 0300 099 6699 and we’ll arrange for an Officer to call you back.
Responses must be submitted before midnight on Sunday 13 October 2024. Earlier responses are welcomed.
Handling your response
We would like to know if you are happy for your response to be made public. If you ask for your response not to be published, it will be regarded as confidential and treated in accordance with SEPA’s published Privacy Policy.
Notice
Please note that our consultation document was updated on 14 August 2024. If you have downloaded a copy of the consultation to review before this date, please ensure you refer to the most recent version before submitting a response.
What happens next
Thank you for your response to this consultation.
Your feedback is important to us and helps us to understand what matters most to people and how we can deliver our duties efficiently and effectively.
After the consultation closes, we’ll consider the information we receive before publishing a digest of responses through the We asked, You said, We did section of our consultation website. This will close the consultation process by explaining how we have considered and, where appropriate, acted upon what we heard.
Events
-
Online Information Session - Please book by email
From 12 Sep 2024 at 11:00 to 12 Sep 2024 at 12:00An online session with specialists from SEPA where you can learn more about our consultations on our proposed changes to the charging scheme and standard conditions, as well as ask questions.
Please book a place at one of the sessions by emailing iaf@sepa.org.uk with the details of the event you would like to attend. -
Online Information Session - Please book by email
From 18 Sep 2024 at 09:30 to 18 Sep 2024 at 10:30An online session with specialists from SEPA where you can learn more about our consultations on our proposed changes to the charging scheme and standard conditions, as well as ask questions.
Please book a place at one of the sessions by emailing iaf@sepa.org.uk with the details of the event you would like to attend. -
Online Information Session - Please book by email
From 19 Sep 2024 at 11:00 to 19 Sep 2024 at 12:00An online session with specialists from SEPA where you can learn more about our consultations on our proposed changes to the charging scheme and standard conditions, as well as ask questions.
Please book a place at one of the sessions by emailing iaf@sepa.org.uk with the details of the event you would like to attend.
Audiences
- Local Authorities
- Industry
- Water
- Waste
Interests
- Regulated activities
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