EASR 2025: Scotland’s New Unified Environmental Permitting Framework
24th July 2025 - Written by Madeline Jump
Scotland is poised to make a major shift in how environmental permits and licences are issued, regulated, and enforced. Under the banner of Environmental Authorisations Scotland Regulations (EASR) 2025, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is preparing to merge several previously distinct regulatory regimes: Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC), Waste Management Licensing, regulations for Radioactive Substances and the Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) – the framework that governs water abstractions and discharges.
A History of Change
The current system often sees overlapping requirements – particularly between PPC and CAR – which can lead to confusion, duplicated efforts, and at times, conflicting outcomes. EASR 2025 aims to streamline and harmonise these processes. This reform is not only intended to simplify compliance for operators but also to allow SEPA to better embed sustainability goals into environmental permitting.
The ultimate goal? A more consistent, transparent, and adaptable regulatory system that can more easily accommodate new technologies and evolving environmental challenges.
What We Know So Far
A draft version of the new EASR regulations has now been issued, and they are expected to come into effect before the end of 2025. However, key pieces of the puzzle are still missing:
No guidance documents have been released yet. Application forms and digital systems are still under development.
Operators will need to stay close to SEPA communications and prepare for evolving requirements over the coming months.
Curious about what these changes mean for your business?
At Arthian, we are here to help. Our team of compliance experts has years of experience helping organisations of all sizes achieve their compliance goals, and we can help you stay one step ahead in this changing landscape. For more information about these regulatory changes and what they mean for your business, get in touch with us at info@arthian.com today.
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