New publications this month:
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY, NATURAL RESOURCES WALES, DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS (DEFRA) & WELSH GOVERNMENT
Materials facilities: waste sampling and reporting
Guidance is provided to waste facility operators in England and Wales to determine whether they operate a materials facility, and if they do, how to comply with the respective sampling, measuring, recording and reporting requirements.
DEFRA
Digital waste tracking – Update on sites in scope of Phase I
Waste receivers may participate in the digital waste tracking system from April 2026, with this becoming mandatory in October 2026.
This update confirms that digital waste tracking records will be needed where waste is generated but does not leave the site where it was produced and the waste is deposited, recovered, or treated under an environmental waste permit or licence. This is necessary as the requirement for separate permitted or licensed waste returns will not be required.
Plastic wet wipes ban
Guidance is provided on the plastic wet wipes ban in England, which will come into force on 19 May 2027.
Health effects of air pollution
A series of new guidance documents describe the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), how short term risks from air pollution are measured and the effects air pollution may have on human health:
Marine Recovery Fund: procurement approach for strategic compensatory measures
This policy statement states how strategic compensatory measures would be acquired by Defra under the Marine Recovery Fund (MRF).
Assess air quality impacts
This guidance concerns techniques that analysts, consultants and academics can use to assess the effect of air pollution on human health and the environment. This guidance has been updated to add a damage costs toolkit. A flowchart has also been added.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Packaging data: what to collect for extended producer responsibility
This guidance now reflects the delay to the introduction of nation of sale data collection and reporting for plastic and paper bags supplied in England. An RPS (RPS 330) provides further details of this delay.
Broadly equivalent standards for packaging and equivalent standards for WEEE and batteries
This document lists broadly equivalent standards for packaging, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and batteries. These standards may be used to demonstrate that overseas sites are operating to equivalent standards to the UK.
The document was updated in December 2025 to state broadly equivalent standards for packaging and equivalent standards for WEEE and batteries for Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Vietnam.
Controls on mercury added products
This guidance has been updated to reflect changes to legislation restricting the export, import and manufacturing of certain mercury-added products.
Packaging producer responsibility monitoring plan 2026
The Environment Agency’s 2026 monitoring approach for businesses affected by the packaging waste regulations in England is set out.
Lower Risk Waste Positions (LRWPs)
The following LRWPs were withdrawn in December 2025:
Regulatory Position Statements (RPSs)
The following RPSs were published or updated during December 2025:
- Environmental permits for ‘orphan’ waste effluent treatment plants: RPS 33: updated, with the next review date set as 31 December 2027.
- Burning waste wood on campfires and bonfires: RPS 50: updated, with the next review date set as 31 January 2029.
- Dewatering and depositing silts from sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) on land: RPS 55: updated, with the next review date set as 30 November 2028.
- Heat treating waste plastics for reuse: RPS 112: updated, with the next review date set as 31 December 2027.
- Using backup flares at exempt anaerobic digestion plants: RPS 120: updated, with the next review date set as 1 October 2028.
- Operating a generator for research, development and testing: RPS 220: updated, with the next review date set as 31 December 2028.
- Storing vehicles carrying waste seized by regulators: RPS 258: updated, with the next review date set as 30 April 2028.
- Storing and treating waste clothes hangers: RPS 285: updated, with the next review date set as 1 December 2028.
- Using whole waste tyres: RPS 301: updated to include storing and using whole waste tyres and crash protection barriers, with the next review date set as 1 December 2028.
- Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging producer data requirements for 2024 and 2025: RPS 330: Updated with a statement delaying the introduction of nation of sale data collection and reporting for the supply of plastic and paper bags in England, the next review date is set as 31 December 2026.
- Storing and treating waste spectacles: RPS 348: new, states the Environment Agency’s enforcement position regarding collection points that store waste spectacles (EWC 20 01 99) and operators who store and treat this stream for recovery. This RPS is due to be reviewed by 1 December 2028.
- Exceeding waste wood storage limits at permitted sites: RPS 361: new, states the enforcement position on operators who have received written authorisation from the Environment Agency to use this RPS. This RPS applies to the temporary storage of waste wood destined for incineration, biomass or panel board manufacture in quantities that exceed the limits under a permit. This RPS is due to be reviewed by 31 July 2026.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY & DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO
National Policy Statements (NPSs)
National Policy Statements (NPSs) state how Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) developments must contribute to sustainable development. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 now requires that these documents are updated every five years. The following NPSs were published in December and apply to qualifying developments in England and, where not devolved as part of the Significant Infrastructure Project system, Wales:
The following supporting documents have been published:
Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) Guidance
The following guidance now reflects the second year of the clean heat market mechanism. Guidance on registration has also been updated to reflect experiences during the first year.
DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO
UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS): a policy overview
This policy paper reflects the outcome of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme: future markets policy consultation. This includes a decision to retain and inflation proof the Auction Reserve Price (ARP) for UK ETS allowances. The department also confirms that a quantity-triggered Supply Adjustment Mechanism (SAM) for allowances will not be adopted to mitigate cost risks under the UK ETS.
Draft Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) regulatory technical requirements
This series of draft documents state proposed requirements, technical obligations and/or assessment procedures for heat networks that must be met as part of the forthcoming HNTAS:
DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO & OFFICE FOR PRODUCT SAFETY AND STANDARDS (OPSS)
Regulations: ecodesign of energy-consuming products
This guidance now reflects an easement concerning energy labelling requirements for CE marked tumble driers placed on the Great British market on or after 1 July 2025.
DEFRA, MINISTRY OF HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT & NATURAL ENGLAND
Nature Restoration Fund: Implementation plan
This document states how Natural England will introduce the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF), which establishes an alternative approach for developers to meet environmental responsibilities relating to protected sites and species. The development also states how Natural England will develop Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs).
NATURAL ENGLAND
Air pollution and development: advice for local authorities
Further guidance is provided on how to check that measures proposed will reduce emissions.
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Climate adaptation strategy for transport
This strategy states climate change adaptation actions for the transport sector.
Transport hazard summaries
The main risks to transport are explained with respect to the following scenarios:
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY (MCA)
The following notes and notices relevant to the environment were published or updated during December 2025:
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): guide
This guidance has been updated to include a statement on the changes to EPC requirements from 31 October 2026 as a result of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025.
Planning guidance: biodiversity
This document states expectations for implementing and delivering Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policies, which support the cross-cutting NPF4 outcome 'improving biodiversity'.
Marine and coastal restoration plan
This plan contains actions to restore marine and coastal habitats and species across Scotland, while supporting communities to undertake restoration. The plan into five themes.
NETREGS, SEPA & ROBERTSON
Construction Industry Toolkit
A new series of guidance notes and animations are intended to assist the construction sector in meeting its environmental compliance obligations in Scotland. These materials concern topics including air and nuisances; cement, concrete and grout; decarbonisation; silt management; surface water management; the waste duty of care; and fuels and oils.
WELSH GOVERNMENT
Just Transition Framework
This framework is intended to be used to implement just transition processes throughout plans, policies and decisions in Wales. The framework includes principles for the delivery of net zero commitments.
Section 6 biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty: a guide to what is a section 6 public authority
This document sets out which public authorities have the biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty under Section 6(9) and Section 6(10) of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
Section 6 Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty: planning template for public authorities
The template provided aims to support public authorities in preparing their biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty plans under Section 6 to the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
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