This policy paper sets out plans to reform the waste exemption regime across England and Wales.
Conditions will be updated on seven exemptions, while three will be withdrawn. Limits will be introduced on who can hold exemptions and how many may be held. These changes are expected to be implemented through future legislation.
These draft regulations are expected to prohibit the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic to the general public in England.
The ban will apply to retailers and other businesses supplying the general public. A date for the ban has yet to be confirmed.
These regulations will enable the Welsh Ministers to direct that further types of project are 'significant infrastructure projects'.
Where a direction is made, these projects will require infrastructure consent under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.
Changes proposed include new approaches to setting Best Available Techniques (BAT), expanded research and development exemptions and greater flexibility in how permit applications are processed and granted.
Lighter-touch regulation is proposed for activities including non-waste battery anaerobic digestion, carbon capture and battery energy storage.
This consultation will run until 21 October 2025.
This policy paper provides further information on the forthcoming introduction of mandatory digital waste tracking across the UK.
The system is due to be launched across two phases: firstly in 2026 for ‘waste receivers’ (permitted or licenced waste management facilities) before a second phase in April 2027, at the earliest, for producers of waste and waste carriers, brokers and dealers.
This Act established powers for the future regulation of product safety, efficacy or efficiency and associated metrology (measurement).
Future regulations may be made setting requirements that must be met to market or use products in the UK.
These regulations will extend the climate change agreement scheme until 31 March 2033.Changes made include three further target periods, revised buy-out calculation methods and the application of targets to each facility only, rather than allowing these to be applied across multiple facilities.
Holders of climate change agreements receive a discount against the climate change levy in return for binding energy or emissions reduction targets.
Amendments by these regulations delay certain corporate sustainability reporting deadlines under the Companies Act 2014.
Irish incorporated public-interest entities with 500 or more employees will now be required to publish their first report in 2028, based on data for the 2027 financial year. This is deferred from the original deadline of 2026.
Irish-listed SMEs, small and non-complex institutions, and captive insurance or reinsurance undertakings will be required to issue their first reports in 2029, based on 2028 data.
