This consultation closed 21st October 2025.
On 26th August, Defra announced a ‘Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry.’ You can view the consultation here and read more about its scope below. You can read the REA’s response here.
About the Consultation
This consultation outlines a wide range of proposed regulatory reforms to modernise permitting for industry and energy sectors. The reforms are designed to:
- Support innovation in emerging technologies
- Streamline permitting processes
- Provide businesses with regulatory certainty to enable growth and investment
- Maintain vital environmental and public health protections
It covers the permitting of ‘industrial’ activities under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (EPRs), including installations, medium combustion plant and specified generators, small waste incineration plant, solvent emission activities, Part B mobile plant and mobile medium combustion plant. The consultation does not cover waste operations, mining waste operations, radioactive substances activities, water discharge activities, groundwater activities or flood risk activities.
While it applies only directly to England, the devolved governments have been engaged during the preparation of the consultation and may continue to be involved in policy development.
REA Member Meeting
On 30th September, the REA held a meeting with Defra to help members learn more about the proposed changes. The meeting included Q&As on four topics covered in the consultation. Members can login to access a summary of meeting and Q&As.
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