Consultation outcome

Standard rules consultation no.14: new and revised standard rules

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 15 December 2014
• Last updated: 4 November 2015 — See all updates

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Consultation no.14: summary of consultation responses and decisions

PDF, 621 KB, 50 pages

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Detail of outcome

The document summarises:

• the responses to the consultation questions
• our responses
• the decisions we have made
• the actions we will take as a consequence

These are set out in turn for each of the 3 sets of proposals.

Detail of feedback received

The consultation invited views on whether we have correctly identified the risks associated with each activity and whether the new sets of rules are appropriate to manage the environmental risks.

We invited comments on 3 sets of proposals, seeking views from operators, trade associations and businesses, other regulators, the public, community groups and non-governmental organisations with an interest in environmental issues.

Responses from this consultation will be used to inform new and amended standard rules and the generic risk assessments.

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Original consultation

Summary

The Environment Agency is asking for views on their proposals for new and amended rules and risk assessments.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
5pm on 15 December 2014 to 11:45pm on 20 March 2015

Consultation description

The proposals include:

• the withdrawal of 4 existing standard rules which allow a range of wastes to be used in construction and land reclamation activities. This is being proposed as we have identified a risk to groundwater from some of these waste types in some locations. They will be replaced with a single set of rules which will be more restrictive on the type of waste permissible and location at which they can be adopted. These changes will better protect groundwater quality

• the revision of 4 standard rules covering land spreading and digestate storage activities. The changes will introduce additional restrictions to ensure better environmental protection. There will also be new provisions providing operators greater flexibility in the size of area and choice of acceptable wastes they can spread. We also want to make minor changes to definitions and wording to improve clarity and consistency

• 3 significant changes that affect 13 existing standard rules permits for soil recycling

We want to:

• add some advisory text on the need to meet end of waste status for recovered materials

• modify waste acceptance procedures for soils from known or suspected contaminated sites

• clarify authorised treatment activities for mobile plant permits for the treatment of soils, materials and products to allow segregation and sorting activities as well as associated recovery activities.

What the response will be used for

We will use the consultation responses to decide whether we will publish the rules and if the controls provided are appropriate for this activity.

Published 15 December 2014
Last updated 4 November 2015 + show all updates

1. 4 November 2015

   On page 22 of the consultation report the Environment Agency has made minor changes to explain that existing permit holders may apply to vary their existing permits to use the new rules sets or to change to a bespoke permit. Previous text implied that you must apply for new permits.

2. 2 November 2015

   See the final outcome document - Consultation No14: summary of consultation responses and decisions.

3. 15 December 2014

   First published.