The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to standard rules permits for medium combustion plants and specified generators in England. Key proposals include: (1) removing underused standard rules sets; (2) correcting table errors within other standard rules; (3) adding gas oil substitutes and hydrogen as permitted fuels; and (4) removing restrictions on caps, cowls and horizontal stacks. The consultation closes on 9 November 2025, with the revised standard rules expected to be published by 12 January 2026.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposed updates to its enforcement and sanctions policy. The proposals include revised general principles for assessing enforcement undertakings, a new penalty principle to protect victims' interests, and simplified public interest factors. A new Annex 5 would set out the EA's approach to civil sanctions under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, including civil variable monetary penalties, automatic penalties and fixed monetary penalties. Annex 4 would be updated to cover enforcement under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/1332, the Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/729 and the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/67. The consultation closes on 4 October 2026.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on a proposed best available techniques (BAT) implementation guidance for mid-merit gas generators. Key proposals include: (1) introducing a new category of flexible gas generators referred to as ‘mid-merit’; (2) permitting these generators to operate for longer hours, provided they meet specified criteria; and (3) incentivising the deployment of low oxides of nitrogen (NOx) flexible gas generation. The consultation closes on 5 January 2026.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on three proposed standard rules permits for small sewage discharges, intended to replace bespoke permits. The proposed permits cover: (1) discharges of treated sewage effluent to ground of more than 2 m³ per day but not exceeding 5 m³ per day (SR2025 No 5); (2) discharges to ground of up to 1.5 m³ per day via shallow drainage systems that do not meet the British Standard and are replacing existing discharges to surface water or ground (SR2025 No 6); and (3) discharges to surface water achieving secondary treatment using equipment that does not conform to the British Standard, or where the receiving watercourse does not always flow, or both (SR2025 No 7). The EA also seeks feedback on the generic risk assessments linked to each standard rules set. The consultation closes on 12 November 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposed technical guidance setting out standards for the design and operation of permitted facilities that store or treat separately collected waste batteries. The guidance aims to ensure the consistent application of these standards across the waste sector and incorporates requirements from the waste treatment Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusions publication, issued under the European Industrial Emission Directive (2010/75/EU). The consultation closes on 8 September 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA), in conjunction with Natural Resources Wales and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, have launched a consultation on proposed updates to the guidance for regulating solid radioactive waste disposal facilities. The consultation seeks views on draft guidance documents outlining the requirements for obtaining environmental permits for these facilities. This includes updated guidance on requirements for authorisation (GRA) for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as new staged regulation guidance applicable only to England, detailing permit requirements to investigate, develop, operate, and close geological disposal facilities. The consultation closes on 28 February 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched an open consultation on proposals to update the Environmental Permitting: H5 Site Condition Report guidance, which sets out how operators demonstrate protection of soil and groundwater under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, SI 2016/2254. The consultation seeks views on revisions covering the production, maintenance and surrender of site condition reports. Key updates include requiring holders of standard rules waste operation permits to produce a site condition report—previously only recommended—and clarifying the information needed at the application, maintenance, and surrender stages. The proposals also specify when baseline reporting and periodic soil and groundwater monitoring are required under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), and introduce a clearer framework for completing stage 1–3 hazardous substance assessments, supported by worked examples. An updated site condition report template has been provided. Once finalised, the new guidance will replace the 2013 H5 Site Condition Report and Regulatory Guidance Note 9 (RGN9) – Surrender. The consultation closes on 4 January 2026.

The Environment Agency (EA) has convened the National Drought Group (NDG) to assess drought conditions in England and review water companies’ autumn and winter preparations. Water company chief executives reported on leakage reduction and drought-plan delivery. The EA said that companies must repair leaks quickly, reduce demand and implement their plans without delay to protect public water supplies and avoid further restrictions. Nearly three quarters of England remains in drought after an exceptionally dry spring and summer, and recent rainfall has not restored rivers, groundwater or reservoirs to normal levels. EA modelling indicates that England needs around 120% of normal rainfall between September and March for all areas to leave drought status. Most areas could return to normal by February 2027, however Devon and Cornwall and East Anglia may remain in drought into April. Below-average rainfall could prolong drought across much of the Midlands and southern England.

The Environment Agency (EA) has secured a 6-month extension to restriction orders for two illegal waste sites in Kent: Eastchurch Gap and Hoads Wood. The orders, granted under the Environment Act 1995, prohibit unauthorised access to these areas until June 2025. Concurrently, the Agency is conducting a consultation on proposals to enhance waste industry regulation, including a potential waste levy to boost enforcement activities. These measures form part of the EA's ongoing efforts to combat waste crime, which resulted in the closure of 482 illegal waste sites and 83 prosecutions in the year to March 2023. The consultation remains open until 20 January 2025, inviting stakeholder input on the proposed regulatory changes.

The Environment Agency (EA) has commenced operations to remove 30,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from Hoads Wood, a protected ancient woodland near Ashford, Kent. Following a criminal investigation launched last year, the EA has appointed Acumen Waste Services Ltd to clear the affected 2-acre area. A court order was secured in January to prevent further dumping. EA continues to investigate the organised crime groups responsible and has already issued fixed penalty notices totalling £2,300 to waste carriers. Environmental monitoring is ongoing, with landfill and hydrogen sulphide gases detected on-site. EA aims to recover clearance costs from the perpetrators and emphasises the need for careful removal due to potential hazards and the site's protected status

The Environment Agency (EA) has taken decisive action against Walleys Quarry Ltd by issuing a Closure Notice for its Newcastle-under-Lyme landfill site. This enforcement measure, implemented after exhausting other options, mandates the cessation of new waste acceptance from 29 November and requires the company to permanently cap the site and enhance landfill gas management infrastructure. The Notice initiates the site's permanent closure process, with vehicle access restricted to materials necessary for capping and gas management. Walleys Quarry Ltd retains the right to appeal within two months, which would be heard by a planning inspectorate-appointed inspector. This action follows the company's failure to effectively manage emissions despite being afforded time to implement adequate measures.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched its 2024-25 National Waste Crime Survey (NWCS), which will run for three weeks. The survey aims to collect data on the scale and impact of waste crime across England. The EA will use the insights from the NWCS to understand potential deterrents that could prevent people from committing waste crime, assess public and industry willingness to report such crimes, evaluate the effectiveness of current efforts to reduce waste crime, and inform the EA’s strategic priorities in combating illegal waste management practices.