Environmental Authorisations and General Binding Rules

From 1 November 2025, SEPA regulates water, waste management and industrial activities under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 framework, using permits, registrations, notifications and General Binding Rules. For agriculture, this matters because activities such as fertiliser storage and application are covered by statutory General Binding Rules. SEPA guidance states that fertiliser must not be stored within 10 metres of rivers, burns, ditches, lochs, wetlands, transitional waters or coastal waters. Non-compliance attracts criminal liability.