The latest guidance, consultations and legislation.
Guidance:
Air quality
Comes into force: 27 July 2018
England
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing ammonia emissions from farms in England. It explains the practical steps farmers, growers, land managers, advisors and contractors can take to reduce such emissions and improve air quality.
Climate change
Comes into force: 31 August 2018
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
The Environment Agency has issued a series of guidance updates for those involved in climate change umbrella agreements. These are legal documents for the various sector associations which outline their obligations in the Climate Change Agreements scheme.
Legislation:
Energy efficiency
Comes into force: 09 July 2018
Europe
Directive 2018/844/EU amends the directives on the energy performance of buildings and energy efficiency, in order to make significant efficiency gains in the EU building sector. It must be implemented into national law by 10 March 2020.
Pollution prevention and control
Comes into force: 01 September 2018
Scotland
The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 begin the basis for an integrated framework of environmental authorisations by establishing a system for radioactive substances activities. Those carrying out such activities must obtain an authorisation to do so.
Energy efficiency
Comes into force: 01 September 2018
Europe
Halogen lightbulbs have now been banned under Regulation (EC) 244/2009, on ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps. Remaining stocks can still be sold, but the switchover to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is now under way.
General
Comes into force: 17 September 2018
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations 2018 make various amendments to deal with out-of-date references to domestic and EU legislation, including hazardous waste, environmental information and pesticides.
Consultations:
Waste
Comes into force: 23 July 2018
Europe
The European Commission is seeking views on options to address the interface between chemical, product and waste legislation. It gives options to address the links between different areas of legislation, and combat the problem of substances of concern in products and waste.
Air quality
Comes into force: 29 August 2018
Northern Ireland
The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is consulting on proposed amendments to the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, which aim to bring Northern Ireland in line with EU requirements, help control its greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming.
