Environmental authorisations in Scotland are changing

From 1 November 2025, the way many farming activities are regulated in Scotland is changing. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is moving to a new, simpler environmental authorisation framework under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, known as EASR.

EASR will become the main framework for authorising activities that impact the environment. Replacing the current rules under:

• The Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR)
• Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC)
• Waste Management Licensing (WML)

These changes aim to simplify regulation and make compliance clearer and more consistent.

What is changing?

EASR introduces one single authorisation framework for activities that could harm the environment. It applies to:

• Water activities
• Waste activities
• Industrial activities
• Radioactive substances

Instead of multiple types of permits and exemptions, EASR uses four authorisation categories:

If your farm carries out several regulated activities, under EASR, you will only need to apply for one authorisation that covers all activities. The type of authorisation will be based on the highest level of authorisation needed for each activity.

Key changes for farmers

1. Use of waste on land for soil improvement

If you apply sewage sludge, digestate or other waste to land, or store it temporarily before spreading, you will require an EASR authorisation, from 1 November 2025.

What this means for you

Depending on your current situation, there may be a choice of actions you can take.

2. Low risk waste activities (LRWA)

For certain low risk waste activities, SEPA will not generally require an authorisation, if rules are followed.

Low risk farm activities include:

• Using waste tyres on silage clamps
• Using certain waste materials as animal bedding
• Burying poisoned rodent carcasses on farmland
• Spreading ash on land, from the incineration of pig or poultry carcasses
• Treating waste organophosphate sheep dip before disposing to land
• Using lined biobeds for pesticide washings

These are classed as low-risk waste activities, but SEPA can take enforcement action if environmental harm occurs.

3. Intensive agriculture

Larger scale farming activities that were previously covered by the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) regime, will now be covered by EASR. These are classed as higher risk activities and will generally need an EASR permit.

What happens to my current authorisations?

If you already hold an authorisation from SEPA:

Most changes will happen automatically. However, EASR registrations or permits must name the person in control of the activity, also known as the ‘Authorised Person’.

This means the ‘Authorised Person’ will be:

• The person named in the CAR licence, or the person who was originally notified by SEPA, when the CAR registration was granted
• The Waste Management licence holder
• The operator named in the PPC permit

If the ‘Authorised Person’ is different from the above, you will have 6 months from 1 November 2025 to update the responsibility details.

Further information

To help farmers understand what the new rules mean in practice NetRegs and Farming and Water Scotland will be publishing clear, practical guidance over the coming months. Keep an eye out for new guidance, fact sheets, online tools and videos aimed at supporting farm businesses throughout the transition.

NetRegs: EASR authorisations in Scotland

SEPA: EASR authorisations