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What we don't do

SEPA often receives environmental event notifications for issues for which are the statutory responsibility of other organisations. To help you get to the right place quickly the table below provides a quick guide to a number of issues, together with how you can contact the right organisation. Responsibilities by topic Responsibilities Organisations Abandoned vehicles Your local authority Y

Air quality

Overview of air quality and how it can be affected by pollutants.

Overview of air quality and how it can be affected by pollutants. We have a direct remit to regulate, control, monitor and act as a consultee on many activities that may influence air quality in Scotland. Under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 we regulate and monitor certain industrial activities in Scotland that can generate airborne pollution, and, under the Environment Act 1995, we work with, and direct where necessary, local a

Position Statement: Elevated buildings in areas of flood risk

What is an elevated building? A building where structures such as pillars or stilts are used to raise it above the expected flood water level. The ground below the building remains at risk of flooding and allows for the free flow of water. Context for this position statement This position statement constitutes part of ‘relevant SEPA advice’ as referred to in criterion a) iv of the National Plannin

Soil

Scotland’s soils are an important natural resource providing a wide range of benefits for people, the environment and the economy. It is essential to protect soils to ensure they are able to continue to provide these benefits for future generations. Why are soils important? Soils are a vital natural resource as they carry out a wide range of essential functions, such as growing food and timber, co

Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to content published on the www.sepa.org.uk domain. This website is run by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to: change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling of

Battery Energy Storage Systems

Information on SEPA's role in relation to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Information on SEPA's role in relation to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Energy storage has an important role to play in the development of a smart, flexible, and decarbonised energy system. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 11 (Energy) states that: "development proposals for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emissions technologies will be supported. These include... iii) energy storage, such as battery storage and pumped hydro storage." SEPA also r

Contaminated land

The management and remediation of contaminated land that, in its current state, is causing or has the potential to cause significant harm or significant pollution of the water environment, is regulated by legislation contained within the Environmental Protection Act (1990) known as Part IIA. We have certain responsibilities within the scope of this legislation to regulate activities and assist in the management and remediation of contaminated land.

The management and remediation of contaminated land that, in its current state, is causing or has the potential to cause significant harm or significant pollution of the water environment, is regulated by legislation contained within the Environmental Protection Act (1990) known as Part IIA. We have certain responsibilities within the scope of this legislation to regulate activities and assist in the management and remediation of contaminated land. Contaminated land can present significant threats to the environment and risks to users of the land. Land can become contaminated by a variety of substances, from heavy metals to agricultural waste. The environmental, financial and legal implications of this can be substantial. The management and remediation of contaminated land that, in its current state, is causing or has the potential to cause

Sea lice regulatory framework implementation

Frequently asked questions Why is a sea lice framework needed? Populations of wild Atlantic salmon have been in serious decline in recent decades and are now at crisis point. The pattern of decline is repeated across the salmon’s North Atlantic range and is likely caused, at least in part, by the effect of climate change on the survival of salmon during their time at sea. To build resilience of Sc

Modelling

Marine aquaculture modelling Computer modelling is used as a guide to determining licensed discharge quantities of anti-parasitic chemicals and organic waste arising from marine fish-farm operations. The modelling tools promoted by SEPA provide robust predictions in most cases, requiring relatively little site-specific information. Nevertheless, the quality of the model outputs is dependent upon g

Activities exempt from waste management licensing

Information regarding activities that may be exempt from waste management licensing, and the statutory controls to prevent environmental pollution and harm to human health

Information regarding activities that may be exempt from waste management licensing, and the statutory controls to prevent environmental pollution and harm to human health From the 1st November 2025, you will no longer be able to apply for the exemptions listed on this page. The information on this page remains to help existing exemption holders comply with their legal obligations, before transitioning to the new Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulation (EASR) framework for authorisations. To find out what authorisation you will need when your exemption exp

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