Preventing and dealing with environmental pollution: legislation
This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to preventing and dealing with pollution incidents and environmental damage. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
Environmental management systems and environmental reports
Northern Ireland – environmental liability legislation
Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2009/252 Brings into force rules to force polluters to prevent and repair damage to water systems, land quality, species and their habitats and protected sites. The polluter does not have to be prosecuted first, so remedying the damage should be faster.
Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2009/361 Amends 2009/252 to update how warrants can be issued and enforced, give magistrates more flexibility in the fines they can apply for conviction and to clarify that references to European legislation include any future amendments.
Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 SR210 Amends 2009/252 to include the geological storage of carbon dioxide as an activity for which operators will be liable if environmental damage is caused.
Scotland - environmental liability legislation
Environmental Liability (Scotland) Regulations SSI 2009/266 Brings into force rules to force polluters to prevent and repair damage to water systems, land quality, protected species and habitats.
The Environmental Liability (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2015
Amend the 2009 Regulations to include environmental damage to the marine environment.