Defence Environmental Protection Regulator (DEPR)

The Defence Environmental Protection Regulator was formed in April 2022 and is responsible for third-party assurance, regulation and enforcement of environmental protection across Defence.

Who we are

The Defence Environmental Protection Regulator is an independent regulator which sits within the Defence Safety Authority (DSA). It seeks to bring more coherence and coordination to environmental protection reporting across the Defence business and provide a more joined up picture of how Defence is meeting environmental protection laws and policies.

The DEPR was created in response to an identified gap in the Defence Safety Authority Charter to provide the Secretary of State for Defence with assurances that Defence is meeting its responsibilities for protection of the environment.

What we do

The DEPR delivers its mission through three core activities: third party assurance, Defence regulation and enforcement, and coordination of environmental protection information:

Environmental Protection Assurance - The DEPR will deliver environmental protection assurance for Defence principally through third-party assurance activity of Defence environmental policy by undertaking focused reviews on environmental themes, topics or risks.
DEPR Regulation – Environmental protection regulations already developed by regulators within the Defence Safety Authority will remain the responsibility of these teams and DEPR will provide oversight only. For any Defence regulation that may be required outside of these areas, the DEPR will consider the value of introducing new regulation, with non-compliance managed through enforcement action identified through assurance activity.
DEPR Coordination - The DEPR will cohere findings on environmental protection across regulators within the Defence Safety Authority. By gathering this intelligence internally and in a coordinated manner, reporting will provide an understanding of Defence’s compliance with environmental protection law and policy. It also ensures there is no duplication of effort for stakeholders, maintains focused improvements that are already underway in some areas of Defence and, additionally, covers any gaps in reporting.
DEPR Reporting - Findings will inform overall reporting on environmental protection compliance across Defence and provide assurances to the Secretary of State for Defence.

The DEPR’s scope is broad and covers:

Atmospheric (air), terrestrial (land), and aquatic (water) areas - Within these areas, there are plants, animals and people that interact. These compartments do not operate in isolation; all elements are integrated together.
Maintenance of the environment on Defence estates - The MOD is one of the largest landowners in the UK, therefore it is important to protect the biodiversity of the landscape Defence owns and manage estates appropriately.
Procurement of Defence equipment - Ensuring environmental standards are met throughout the process of acquiring Defence kit.
Defence activities – Providing assurances that Defence activities in the UK, overseas, and on operations adhere to environmental protection standards.

Vision

To be an engaged, risk-based environmental protection regulator that is proportionate and effective in driving improvements.

Mission

To protect the environment by delivering a coherent and consolidated view on compliance across Defence, to drive the avoidance of adverse environmental effects and to promote enhancement.