On the 18th of December 2024 the ‘Environment Agency’ realised a series of ‘new’ consolidated standard rules permits, which replace a number of older standard rules, which now have been withdrawn. 

Below we have provided a table showing the activity description, permits which have been withdrawn, the new consolidated permit applicable and updated technical competence requirements which have changed for some activities to reflect the inclusion of hazardous waste. 

We have included working links within the table to additional information regarding the new consolidated standard rules permits and Technical Competence qualifications and purpose statements. 

The table can be downloaded here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lex_fyGXbWUsgGpLW1W8104DsIv8Njo9/view  

Quick fire question and answer! 

The Environment Agency has issued a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS), specifically RPS 331. This changes the original compliance window from the 18th of March 2025, to the 27th of June 2025.

We have provides a link to the Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 331 issued by the Environment Agency below. 

Link to ''Extension to comply with new standard rules permits: RPS 331'' - Click Here

Q) I have read through the new standard rules permit applicable to me and I cant adhere to the rules within it, what do I do? 

A) If you cannot comply with the new standard rules permit you will need to apply to vary your permit into a bespoke permit. You must apply for a bespoke permit by 27th June 2025 and continue to comply with your standard rules permit.

Q) I have reviewed my technical competence against the new standard rules permit for my facility using the table below, and I require an additional qualification / or units. Do the EA expect me to achieve this by the 27th of June 2025?

A) No, the Environment Agency has put in place a 'Regulatory Position Statement (RPS)', which was issued on the 13th of March 2025, and provides anyone affected 12 months from the date the RPS was published to achieve any additional units or qualifications. 

Link to ''Technical competence qualifications for consolidated standard rules permits: RPS 326'' - Click Here

Q) I have reviewed the new standard rules permit applicable to me and I can adhere to it, is their anything else I need to know or do, other than reviewing my technical competence? 

A) As required by rule 1 within any standard rules permit, you need to operate in line with a written management system more commonly known as an Environmental Management System or EMS. This should be readily available to site staff and regulators on request. 

This will need to be reviewed to consider any changes to the permit and associated operating techniques. We have also provided an additional link below to the non-hazardous and inert waste: appropriate measures which is linked to the majority of these new standard rules permits. 

Link : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/non-hazardous-and-inert-waste-appropriate-measures-for-permitted-facilities   

Note : New permits such as the ‘SR2022 No4’ and ‘SR2022 No5’ are listed twice within the table, both as a high and medium risk operations. 

This is to reflect the fact that not all sites will opt to accept asbestos. Therefore, anyone accepting asbestos will need to meet the requirements of the high-risk listing; anyone not accepting asbestos will need to meet the requirements of the medium-risk listing. 

Contact us! If you intend on accepting asbestos or have any questions regarding the required competence for these or any other permitted facility, email us at info@hsecservices.co.uk or phone 01502 712209!

Further changes / Updates:

• 26/03/2025 EA / CIWM (WAMITAB) change to competence required for HWRC's accepting hazardous and non-hazardous waste (Previously VRQ406 had been accepted however, now VRQ414 is required instead).