The Welsh Government has introduced five statutory instruments to implement and operationalise the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024, which establishes a new consenting framework for significant infrastructure projects across the energy, waste, water and transport sectors. The legislative package comprises a Commencement Order that launches the Act’s provisions, along with detailed regulations govern pre-application and application procedures, examination processes, fee structures, compulsory acquisition and miscellaneous implementation matters. Developed following extensive stakeholder consultation, these measures are designed to accelerate decision-making for major projects while ensuring robust community engagement and environmental protection throughout Wales. The implementation package includes detailed procedures for examining authorities and decision-making processes.

The Welsh Government has laid the draft Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 before the Senedd, alongside an integrated impact assessment. The Order consolidates and updates electoral conduct rules from the 2007 version, implementing changes required by the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024. Following consultation between November 2024 and February 2025, the government deferred implementing a proposed postal voting correction procedure for further development. The Order marks the first fully bilingual version of Welsh electoral conduct rules and introduces new accessibility requirements for disabled voters.

The Welsh Government has presented the Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 before the Senedd. The new regulations extend workplace obligations by requiring that all small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE) be separated for collection, starting from 6 April 2026. These amendments build on the 2023 requirements and now require Senedd approval before implementation.

The Welsh Government has published a written statement, confirming that the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wet Wipes) (Wales) Regulations 2025 have been laid before the Senedd Cymru. The Regulations prohibit the supply or offer to supply of single-use wet wipes containing plastic and incorporate minor revisions introduced since the April 2024 update. Notably, the specific industrial use exemption has been removed, as the offences will apply only to consumers. The exemption for pharmacies has been streamlined to permit the continued supply of plastic-containing wet wipes in any setting if they are ‘designed or manufactured for use in connection with medical care or treatment’. The definition of a wet wipe has also been simplified to refer to ‘a non-woven piece of fabric which has been pre-wetted’. The Regulations are expected to come into force in December 2026, subject to Senedd approval.

The Welsh Government has laid a written statement under Standing Order 15.2 making Members of the Senedd aware that consent is being given to the Secretary of State to exercise a subordinate legislation-making power in a devolved area in relation to Wales. The Biocidal Products (Health and Safety) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions etc) Regulations 2024, SI 352/2024 (BP(HS)(ATP) Regs 2024) will be made in exercise of powers delegated to the Secretary of State under Article 85 and Article 83A(2) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products. Consent was sought by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Younger. The written statement explains that consent is being given to ensure scientific and technological advances are incorporated into existing legislation, enable the reduction in the necessity of animal testing and preserve the interconnected nature of the biocidal regime. BP(HS)(ATP) Regs 2024 come into force on 6 April 2024 and will not transfer any functions to the Secretary of State.

The Welsh Government has opened applications for an independent, not-for-profit Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to operate the Welsh Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The selected DMO will oversee the material and financial flows set out in the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026. Its responsibilities include publishing technical guidance to support business preparation for the DRS, working with industry to ensure information is accessible, and leading consumer communications so the public understands their role in the scheme. The DMO must also implement a simple, user-friendly system for consumer enquiries and ensure full compliance with the operational plan. The scheme aims to introduce a refundable deposit on in-scope drink containers to reduce litter, support a circular economy, promote reuse, and contribute to Wales’ zero-waste and climate objectives. Applications close on 23 January 2026.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation seeking feedback on its draft Promoting Awareness of Air Pollution Delivery Plan. The plan, developed under the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024, outlines actions to raise public awareness of air pollution risks and reduction measures. The consultation, running until 15 October 2025, focuses on 16 specific actions across four themes, including national communication campaigns and local authority guidance. The plan implements statutory duties placed on Welsh Ministers to promote awareness of air pollution risks to health and environment.

The Welsh Government has published a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS, setting out improvements to the planning system aimed at making Wales the fastest country in the UK to determine infrastructure applications. The update reports that in 2025 Wales determined 13 Developments of National Significance and reduced average decision times by six weeks to 30 weeks, supported by expanded powers for Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). The statement notes that PEDW’s authority to determine renewable energy projects of up to 50 megawatts enabled seven delegated decisions to be completed 10–15 weeks ahead of the 36-week statutory deadline and contributed to an 86% increase in enforcement decisions by helping to clear appeals backlogs. Further reforms are planned for 2026 following commencement of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (I(W)A 2024), which introduces a modern consenting system and enables full cost recovery. Additional measures include increased planning application fees from 1 December 2025, renewed performance monitoring, expanded workforce capacity through bursaries and senior planner roles, continued support from Net Zero Industry Wales, and a commissioned report by Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Cymru on long-term workforce planning to ensure sufficient planning capacity.

The Welsh Government has announced a phased implementation of reforms to community and town council governance following its acceptance of 11 recommendations from a Local Government and Housing Committee inquiry concluded in March 2025. The first phase, beginning in autumn 2025, will focus on standards of behaviour, including promoting local dispute resolution and considering mandatory code of conduct training for councillors. Sector-wide engagement will continue into early 2026, incorporating work on diversity in democracy and political abuse. A second phase, expected in spring or summer 2026, will explore a bespoke audit system, with potential legislative changes. This structured approach aims to build sector capacity and ensure robust, sustainable governance improvements.

The Welsh Government has passed the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill 2023, to modernise and simplify the process behind developing significant infrastructure projects in Wales. Under the legislation, a new form of consent known as ‘Infrastructure Consent’ will be issued in relation to significant infrastructure projects including energy, transport, waste, and water. The unified consenting process will create more certainty in Wales’s ability to deliver further infrastructure investment as well as assisting with the government’s renewable energy targets by enabling the consenting of renewable energy projects in a timely manner. To facilitate the implementation of the legislation, two consultation papers will be issued focusing on the pre-application consultation procedure and fees for the consenting process.

The Welsh Government has passed the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill, to introduce automatic registration of voters and to modernise electoral administration. The Bill is intended to remove barriers to democratic engagement by introducing automatic registration of voters for Senedd and local government elections, establishing an all-Wales body responsible for the administration of Welsh elections, creating an online voter information platform and introducing measures to increase diversity within Senedd and local government. The Bill is expected to get Royal Assent this summer.

The Welsh Government has announced a series of new proposals to accelerate infrastructure planning decisions of national significance, focusing on renewable energy projects. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, outlined plans to delegate decision-making powers to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales for renewable energy projects up to 50 megawatts, potentially reducing end-to-end decision times by at least 12 weeks. The Welsh Government also seeks to address the shortage of planners at local and national levels and enhance resources for processing Developments of National Significance applications. In addition, it intends to collaborate with industry to develop a sector deal for renewable energy, aimed at removing barriers and improving outcomes for supply chains, skills, employment, and community benefits.