Regulator profile
SEPA
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Enforcement Regulator5 areas of regulation · 38 official guidance documents · 35 laws enforced · Scotland
What SEPA does
Scotland's principal environmental regulator. Protects and improves Scotland's environment. Issues environmental permits for waste, emissions, water abstraction, and radioactive substances. Enforces environmental law and responds to pollution incidents.
Additional information
Scottish equivalent of Environment Agency. Also regulates COMAH sites in Scotland (jointly with HSE).
Contact SEPA
Types of regulation
Official guidance from SEPA
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
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Aquaculture Environment | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Aquaculture | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Aquaculture information page | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Aquaculture Regulatory | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Authorisation guidance | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Changes to permits | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Civil sanctions | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
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Contaminated land | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Detailed Guidance Scotland
Legal framework
Legislation that SEPA directly enforces.
Primary legislation
- Control of Pollution Act 1974 Act 1974
- Water (Scotland) Act 1980 Act 1980
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 Act 1990
- Radioactive Substances Act 1993 Act 1993
- WEWSSA 2003 Act 2003
- Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 Act 2009
- Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 Act 2009
- Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011 Act 2011
Secondary legislation
- The Trade Effluent (Asbestos) (Scotland) Regulations 1993 UK Statutory Instrument 1993
- Special Waste Regulations 1996 (Scotland) UK Statutory Instrument 1996
- Contaminated Land (Scotland) Regulations 2000 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2000
- The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2000
- The Special Waste Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2004 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2004
- The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2005 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2005
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 UK Statutory Instrument 2007
- Radioactive Contaminated Land (Scotland) Regulations 2007 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2007
- Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 UK Statutory Instrument 2007
- The Environmental Liability (Scotland) Regulations 2009 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2009
- ... and 17 more statutory instruments
Related legislation
Legislation connected to SEPA's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Establishing / enabling
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Environment Act 1995
UK Act of Parliament 1995 -
Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014
UK Act of Parliament 2014
Referenced in enforcement
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Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006
Scottish Statutory Instrument 2006 -
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
UK Act of Parliament 2006
Sectors regulated
Coverage area
Scotland