Meet environmental compliance requirements
- 1 step
UK Act of Parliament
1974
United Kingdom
Control of Pollution Act 1974
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
40 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides · 3 journeys · 5 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
14 of 40 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 10 carry different penalties and 16 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 20
- Occupier 4
- Operator 1
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 14 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties
Operators also bound by 730 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 138 duties
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 2018 121 duties
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 2012 112 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 75 duties
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 2016 66 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Waste on land
Prohibition of unlicensed disposal of waste.
5 years imprisonment- Unlicensed disposal or treatment of waste Any Person
Provisions supplementary to s. 3.
2 years imprisonmentOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consider exemptions for minor or controlled waste risks Crown / Minister / Government department
Licences to dispose of waste.
2 years imprisonment- Provide false information in a waste disposal licence application Any Person
Provisions supplementary to s. 5.
Unlimited fine- Breach waste disposal licence conditions Any Person
Variation of conditions and revocation of licences.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency or SEPA must modify or revoke waste licences Statutory regulator
Supervision of licensed activities.
Unlimited fine- Comply with waste disposal licence conditions and emergency works Any Person
Appeals to Secretary of State from decisions with respect to licences.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Appeal waste disposal licensing decisions to the Secretary of State Crown / Minister / Government department
Collection of waste.
- Pay for the collection of commercial or industrial waste Any Person
Dustbins etc.
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to comply with waste storage notice Occupier
Disposal of waste in England and Wales.
- Pay reasonable charges for use of waste disposal facilities Any Person
Removal of waste deposited in breach of licensing provisions.
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with waste removal notice Occupier
Special provisions with respect to certain dangerous or intractable waste.
2 years imprisonment- Breach regulations regarding dangerous or industrial 'special waste' Occupier
Application of preceding provisions to other waste.
5 years imprisonment- Deposit non‑controlled waste without consent Any Person
Production of heat and electricity from waste etc.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must report waste-to-energy installation details annually Local authority
Prohibition of parking to facilitate street cleaning.
Unlimited fineOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities may prohibit parking to allow for street cleaning Local authority
Litter.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Councils must coordinate and publish local litter reduction plans Local authority
Interference with refuse tips and dustbins etc.
Fine up to £1,000- Unauthorised interference with waste bins or disposal sites Any Person
Supplementary provisions relating to pipes.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must maintain and display maps of sewage pipes Local authority
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
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Transfer and relinquishment of licences.
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Powers of disposal authorities as respects other waste.
Reclamation of waste.
Street cleaning etc.
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Outfall pipes for sewage disposal works.
Modification of Parts I and II to avoid duplication of control.
Interpretation etc. of Part I.
Part IA — Abandoned Mines
Mine operators to give SEPA six months’ notice of any proposed abandonment.
Unlimited fine- Notify SEPA six months before abandoning a mine Operator
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Introductory.
Part II — Pollution of water
Waters to which Part II applies.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SEPA must make water boundary maps available for public inspection Statutory regulator
Browse 48 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Classification of quality waters.
Water quality objectives.
General duties to achieve and maintain objectives etc.
Consultation and collaboration.
Pollution offences.
Prohibition of certain discharges by notice or regulations.
Discharges into and from sewers etc.
Defence to principal offences in respect of authorised discharges.
Other defences to principal offences.
Control of pollution of rivers and coastal waters etc.
Requirements to take precautions against pollution.
Nitrate sensitive areas.
Registering of agreement.
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Control of sanitary appliances on vessels.
Consents for discharges of trade and sewage effluent etc.
Reference to Secretary of State of certain applications for consent.
Provisions supplementary to ss. 34 and 35.
Revocation of consents and alteration and imposition of conditions.
Restriction on variation and revocation of consent and of previous variation.
General review of consents.
Appeals to the Secretary of State.
Transitional provisions relating to consent.
Registers.
Exclusion from registers of information affecting national security.
Exclusion from registers of certain confidential information.
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Operations by river purification authorities to remedy or forestall pollution of water.
Notices requiring persons to carry out anti-pollution operations.
Grant of, and compensation for, rights of entry etc.
Appeals against works notices.
Consequences of not complying with a works notice.
Duty of water authorities to deal with waste from vessels etc.
Power of water authorities to exclude unregistered vessels from rivers etc.
Deposits and vegetation in rivers etc.
Enforcement notices as respects discharge consents.
Appeals against enforcement notices.
Investigation of water pollution problems arising from closure of mines.
Codes of good agricultural practice.
Charges in respect of certain discharges in England and Wales.
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Regulations under this Part.
Interpretation etc. of Part II.
Part III — Noise
Control of noise on construction sites.
Unlimited fine- Breach of noise control notice on a construction site Any Person
Prior consent for work on construction sites.
Unlimited fine- Apply for prior consent for construction site noise Any Person
Noise in streets.
Unlimited fine- Restrict the use of loudspeakers in public streets Any Person
Noise from plant or machinery.
- Comply with local noise control regulations for plant and machinery Any Person
Penalties.
Unlimited fine- Violate noise control requirements or environmental protection orders Any Person
Browse 16 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Periodical inspections by local authorities.
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Designation of zones.
Register of noise levels.
Noise exceeding registered level.
Reduction of noise levels.
New buildings etc.
Execution of works by local authority.
Appeals to Secretary of State and magistrates’ court.
Codes of practice for minimising noise.
“Best practicable means”.
Interpretation and other supplementary provisions.
Part IV
Regulations about motor fuel.
2 years imprisonmentOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must enforce motor fuel composition and labelling rules Local authority
Regulations about sulphur content of oil fuel for furnaces or engines.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult before setting fuel sulphur limits Crown / Minister / Government department
Provisions supplementary to ss. 75 and 76.
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with fuel regulations (sections 75‑76) Any Person
Cable burning.
Unlimited fine- Burn insulation from cables to recover metal Any Person
Research and publicity.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must consult businesses on air pollution monitoring Local authority
Notices requiring information about air pollution.
Unlimited fine- Fail to provide air pollution information or provide false data Occupier
Appeals against notices.
- Appeal an air pollution information notice Any Person
Regulations about research and publicity.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must maintain a public register of air pollution information Local authority
Provision by local authorities of information for Secretary of State.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State may direct local authorities to monitor air pollution Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part V — Supplementary provisions
Miscellaneous provisions relating to legal proceedings.
Unlimited fine- Directors and managers are personally liable for company pollution offences Director or Officer
Provisions supplementary to s. 91.
Fine up to £1,000- Obstructing an environmental inspector Any Person
Power of authorities to obtain information.
2 years imprisonment- Fail to provide information to environmental authorities Any Person
Prohibition of disclosure of information.
Unlimited fine- Unlawful disclosure of trade secrets Any Person
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Appeals to Crown Court or Court of Session against decisions of magistrates’ court or sheriff.
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Civil liability for contravention of s. 3(3).
Expenses and receipts of Secretary of State etc.
Establishment charges and interest in respect of certain expenses of authorities.
Rights of entry and inspection etc.
Service of documents on and by certain undertakers.
Local inquiries.
Default powers.
Interpretation of Part V.
Part VI — Miscellaneous and general
Disposal of waste etc by Atomic Energy Authority.
Amended 1 time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Amended 1 timeOrders and regulations.
Amended 6 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult and consider objections for water regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Interpretation etc—general.
Amended 8 timesGeneral application to Scotland.
Amended 4 timesShort title, commencement and extent.
Amended 1 timeBrowse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Schedules
Alteration of penalties
- Construct drain or sewer incorrectly Any Person
Browse 53 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
Noise Abatement Zones
Orders Designating Nitrate Sensitive Areas: Scotland
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the Secretary of State...
(1) SEPA shall not, for the purposes of paragraph 1...
(1) This paragraph applies where the Secretary of State proposes...
The Secretary of State shall, at the request of any...
(1) Where notices with respect to any proposed order have...
Without prejudice to section 96 of this Act, where notices...
The consent of the Treasury shall be required for the...
In this Part, “local authority” means a council constituted under...
In section 41(3) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 94(2) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 95(1) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 2 of the Public Health (Drainage of Trade...
In section 9 of that Act (under which a person...
In section 19(3) of the Water Act 1945 (under which...
In section 21 of that Act (under which a person...
In section 12(8) of the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 (under...
In section 14(6) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 24(2) of that Act (under which an occupier...
In section 45(2) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 46 of that Act (which provides that certain...
In section 19(3) of the Public Health Act 1936 (under...
In section 27 of that Act (which provides that certain...
In section 34(5) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 36(1) of that Act (under which a person...
In section 10(1) of that Act (which authorises the taking...
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
In section 18 of that Act (which relates to the...
In section 19 of that Act (which empowers river purification...
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
In section 10(1) of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act...
At the end of section 34(5) of the Public Health...
In section 41(1)(b) of the London Government Act 1963 (which...
In section 77(2) of the Water Resources Act 1963 (which...
In section 113(1) of that Act (which authorises water authorities...
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
In section 9(2) of the Spray Irrigation (Scotland) Act 1964...
In section 10(1) of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland)...
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
In section 1(1)(g) of the Hovercraft Act 1968 for the...
For the purposes of section 14 of the Water Act...
In subsection (12) of section 24 of that Act (which...
In section 36(3) of that Act (which among other things...
In paragraph 17(2) of Schedule 7 to that Act (which...
Minor and consequential amendments of enactments
In section 3(1)(b) of the Public Health Act 1936 (under...
Sections 79 and 80 of that Act (which relate to...
Sections 2(4) and 3(2) of the Public Health (Drainage of...
In section 4(5) of that Act (under which disputes arising...
Repeals
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- HSE guidance on structural safety in construction (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- HSE guidance on vibration at work (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- CL:AIRE Definition of Waste Code of Practice (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Land contamination technical guidance (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) from Environment Agency Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scotland's principal environmental regulator. Protects and improves Scotland's environment. Issues environmental permits for waste, emissions, water abstraction, and radioactive substances. Enforces environmental …
Connected legislation
5 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (5)
- The Trade Effluent (Asbestos) (Scotland) Regulations 1993 1993
- The Upper Spey and Associated Waters Protection (Renewal) Order 1988 1988
- The Upper Spey and Associated Waters Protection (Renewal) Order 1991 1991
- The Upper Spey and Associated Waters Protection (Renewal) Order 1993 1993
- The Upper Spey and Associated Waters Protection (Renewal) Order 1993 Variation Order 1996 1996
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