Ecological compliance for development projects
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UK Statutory Instrument
2019
United Kingdom
Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
18 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide · 1 journey
Penalty landscape
11 of 18 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 7 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 10
- Director or Officer 2
- Manufacturer 1
Plus 5 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 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 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 75 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 63 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 46 duties
- CCBSA 2014 2014 22 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 18 duties
Manufacturers also bound by 82 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 2011 27 duties
- Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 2017 25 duties
- Medical Devices Regulations 2002 2002 23 duties
- Lifts Regulations 2016 2016 22 duties
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 2016 21 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 1 — Introductory provisions
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 2 — Offences
False statements
2 years imprisonment- Provide false information to obtain an invasive species permit Any Person
Misuse of permits or licences
2 years imprisonment- Falsify or alter an invasive species permit Any Person
Compliance with permits and licences
2 years imprisonment- Breach conditions of an invasive species permit or licence Any Person
Obstruction and deception
2 years imprisonment- Obstructing or deceiving an enforcement officer Any Person
Attempts to commit offences etc.
2 years imprisonment- Attempting or preparing to commit an invasive species offence Any Person
Offences by bodies corporate
2 years imprisonment- Personal liability for directors and officers Director or Officer
Offences by Scottish partnerships
2 years imprisonment- Partner liability for invasive species offences by Scottish partnerships Any Person
Offences by partnerships and unincorporated associations
2 years imprisonment- Business partner or officer liability for invasive species offences Director or Officer
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Proceedings for offences: venue and time limits
Emergency measures
Part 2A — Controls on invasive alien species in the offshore marine area
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Controls on invasive alien species in the offshore marine area
Part 3 — Defences
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 4 — Penalties
Penalties etc.
2 years imprisonment- Breach of invasive species controls or permit conditions Any Person
Part 5 — Enforcement
Action following seizure
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must handle seized invasive species within specific timelines Statutory regulator
Recovery of costs
- Pay storage and enforcement costs for detained invasive species Manufacturer
Forfeiture
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Courts must order forfeiture of items used in invasive species offences Tribunal / Court
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power to stop and search persons
Power to enter and search vehicles
Powers of entry
Examining relevant organisms and taking samples
Power of seizure for purposes of investigation etc.
Power of seizure to facilitate functions of an enforcement officer
Power to use reasonable force
Proof of lawful import or export
Information sharing
Meaning of relevant permit and relevant licence
Part 6 — Civil sanctions
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Civil Sanctions
Part 7 — Permits
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 8 — Licences
Licences for activities relating to invasive alien species
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Licensing authorities may grant licences for invasive species activities Statutory regulator
Part 9 — Amendments, revocations and effect in relation to other enactments
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 10 — Review
Review: England
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must review invasive species regulations in England Crown / Minister / Government department
Schedules
Provisions of the Principal Regulation
- Do not trade, keep, or release restricted invasive species Any Person
Civil sanctions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators may impose civil penalties for invasive species offences Statutory regulator
Browse 2 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Animals and plants to which Articles 3(2) to (4) apply
Amendments
Other sections — not classified into a Part
These sections exist in the Act but the contents-of-Parts walker did not place them under a Part. Likely amendments or sections inserted out of the original Part structure.
Import, keeping, breeding, purchase, release etc. of invasive alien species
2 years imprisonment- Illegal import, sale, or release of invasive alien species Any Person
Application of offences in the offshore marine area
2 years imprisonment- Breach invasive species controls in offshore marine areas Any Person
Browse 4 other unclassified sections
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Environment Agency controlled waste guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Property Care Association (PCA) - find an accredited contractor (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: Prevent the spread of harmful invasive and non-native plants (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Report and manage invasive non-native species (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
NatureScot
PrimaryScotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Government adviser for the natural environment in England. Responsible for wildlife licensing (protected species), designating and managing protected sites (SSSIs, National Nature …
Natural Resources Wales
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.