These regulations will revoke and replace the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
A new rating system will apply to energy performance certificates for domestic and non-domestic buildings in Scotland. Assessors will need to be accredited under approved schemes and site-based audits will be introduced for assessors.
This order will amend the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023 to provide manufacturers with further flexibility on how to comply with the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) and CO2 standard schemes for new cars and vans.
Further ZEV allowances may be borrowed from future years and restrictions on converting allowances between schemes will be relaxed.
These regulations will update methods manufacturers and suppliers must use when assessing airborne noise for equipment subject to the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001.
These assessment requirements mirror those applied in the EU under Regulation (EU) 2024/1208.
These rules support licensing schemes and support for carbon dioxide transport and storage under the Energy Act 2023.
A special administration regime for licensed operators aims to ensure transport and storage services continue.
This Directive will establish a soil monitoring framework for all soils in the territory of EU Member States. Member States will be required to assess soil health, support soil resilience and identify and manage contaminated sites.
Regular soil assessments will be required and national registers will need to be established for potentially contaminated or contaminated sites.
These regulations will amend the Clean Heat Market Mechanism Regulations 2025. Low-carbon heat targets will increase from 1 April 2026.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme will become the only recognised certification standard.
The definition of a ‘hybrid heating system’ will also be updated so that systems combining a heat pump and a fossil fuel appliance are not required to provide hot water where the building does not need it.
These regulations will amend the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.
Exemptions for charities have been clarified and new provisions will manage the transfer of obligations due to corporate mergers or changes in brand ownership.
Producers will also be able to offset fees for food-grade plastic packaging waste that is collected and recycled through a qualifying closed-loop system.
This order will amend the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 to make providing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings a regulated activity where they are likely to influence investment decisions.
Firms providing ESG ratings within this scope will be required to be authorised and supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
