The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposed charges to recover costs associated with assessing decarbonisation readiness (DR) reports and reviewing updated DR plans for electricity-generating combustion plants in England. These requirements, introduced under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, will apply to new or substantially refurbished plants and form part of the Agency’s regulatory duties. The proposed charges, intended to cover administrative and compliance costs, are scheduled to take effect from 28 February 2026, with the consultation closing on 6 January 2026.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation, seeking views on proposed one-off increases to its regulatory charges under the Environmental Permitting and Abstraction Licensing Charging Scheme 2022 and the Waste (Miscellaneous) Charging Scheme 2018. These proposed changes aim to ensure full cost recovery for the EA's services and address the rising costs of service delivery and inflationary pressures. The consultation closes on 28 May 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation, seeking views on a proposed new levy targeting certain water discharge activities conducted by water companies in England. The proposed levy, enabled by the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, aims to fully recover the costs associated with the EA's enforcement activities. It is designed to reflect the scale and complexity of water industry infrastructure, with calculations based on the number, type, and volume of permits for sewage discharge activities. The levy will also apply to new appointments and variations designated by Ofwat that offer sewerage services, provided they hold relevant permits with the EA. The consultation closes on 26 May 2025, with the new charging scheme expected to be implemented in Summer 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposed revisions to Standard Rules Permit SR2008 No9 for storage of asbestos waste. The revised permit introduces new prohibitions including transferring asbestos between bulk containers, storing asbestos loose or for more than six months, stacking containers, and using mechanical equipment for moving waste. A new condition 3.1.1 addressing point source emissions to water, air or land will also be added. The changes are intended to improve the design and operation of permitted facilities in the asbestos waste sector and reduce environmental risks to acceptable levels. The consultation will run until 22 December 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on its proposed updated national drought response framework for England, titled ‘Drought: how it is managed in England’. This document updates the 2017 ‘National Drought Response Framework’. The consultation invites feedback on the updated framework, which outlines the impact of drought in England and how the EA collaborates with government, water companies, and other stakeholders to manage the effects on people, business, and the environment. The EA also seeks views on area-specific concerns to inform updates to drought plans across its 14 operational areas. The consultation closes on 10 January 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has a launched a consultation to gather feedback on a proposed update to its enforcement and sanctions policy, following the introduction of new civil sanction powers under the Environment Act 2021 (EA 2021). The EA plans to add a new Annex (Annex 4) to outline its approach to these powers, particularly in relation to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/1332, which came into force on 1 January 2025. The proposed approach comprises details on how the EA determines the most appropriate enforcement response when a breach also constitutes a criminal offence, the methodology for calculating EA 2021 variable monetary penalties, and the approach to accepting or rejecting EA 2021 enforcement undertakings. Minor amendments have been made to the main enforcement and sanctions policy to incorporate Annex 4, and the EA is seeking feedback on these changes. The consultation does not cover the principles of the main enforcement and sanctions policy, nor its Annex 1, Annex 2 or Annex 3. The consultation closes on 5 March 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation seeking views on proposed updates to the guideline that water companies in England must follow when preparing their statutory drought management plans. This quinquennial review aims to incorporate recent research findings and drought experience, ensuring that technical information is current and comprehensive. The updated guideline, developed in collaboration with water companies and regulators, focuses on maintaining water supply and protecting the environment during drought conditions. The EA is specifically requesting feedback on the clarity of the changes made and any potential improvements to ensure robust drought planning by water companies. This consultation is part of the process to refine the guideline before water companies prepare and publish their drought plans by 2027. The consultation closes on 26 January 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposed updates to the water resources planning guideline (WRPG), which outlines the expectations for water companies in preparing statutory water resources management plans. The guideline is revised every five years, ahead of water companies drafting their management plans.  The consultation seeks views on whether the updated guideline enables companies to produce plans with secure and resilient water supplies that protect the environment. The EA has also published the Environmental Destination for Water Resources Planning Guidance as a related document for comment. The final version of the WRPG is expected in spring 2026. Draft water resources management plans will be subject to consultation in 2028, with final plans expected to be published over winter 2028/29. The consultation closes on 5 December 2025.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation on proposals for a new standard rules permit for waste motor vehicles in England. Designated as Standard Rules Consultation 33, the initiative seeks stakeholder views on a proposed standard rules permit, a risk assessment, and a mandatory standards document relating to the storage and treatment of waste motor vehicles. The consultation closes on 10 March 2026.

The Environment Agency (EA) has launched a consultation seeking views on the proposed changes to water quality permit charges, which have not been reviewed since 2018. Under the proposed changes, charges will rise in order for the EA income to increase. The EA asserts that this increased funding will transform the way the water industry is regulated, allowing the EA to support the industry to implement good practice and improve environmental performance. Most permits are held by water companies, however customers from other sectors such as agriculture, recreation and hospitality will also be affected. The EA are asking for anyone impacted by the proposed changes to respond to the consultation. This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 11 March 2024.

The Environment Agency (EA) has announced the launch of a new Economic Crime Unit, which will tackle serious financial offences in the waste sector. The unit builds on the work of the EA Financial Investigations Team in targeting money laundering and carrying out financial investigations in the waste sector. The unit will be comprised of two teams: Asset Denial Team and Money Laundering Investigations Team.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), in collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA) and spearheaded by Environment Secretary, Steve Reed OBE MP, has launched a record 81 criminal investigations into water companies in England as part of a crackdown on sewage dumping. This initiative represents the largest criminal action against water companies in history, with inspections into sewage pollution increasing by nearly 400% since July 2024. The EA has conducted extensive spot checks, revealing widespread law-breaking, leading to a 145% surge in criminal investigations since the election. Potential penalties for water companies include fines amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds and prison sentences of up to five years for water company executives.