DEFRA and the Welsh Government are consulting on proposals to make changes to some of the flood risk exemptions and exclusions in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1154). Consultation closes 20th June. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/flooding/environmental-permitting-regulations/

The European Commission is consulting on potential measures for regulating the environmental impact of machine tools and welding equipment.  Consultation closes 10th July. https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/public-consultation-potential-measures-regulating-environmental-impact-machine-tools-and-welding-equipment_en

The Environment Agency is consulting on new and revised standard rules environmental permits to cover operation of medium combustion plant (MCP) and emission controls on generators. Consultation closes on 15th June.  https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environmental-permitting/standard-rules-consultation-no-17/.  The EA would like to know, from interested parties, if a single standard permit should be issued to an operator to cover a number of locations for the new medium combustion plants (MCP) standard rule sets.

DEFRA is consulting on the development of an Environmental Principles and Governance Bill. Consultation closes 2nd August.  https://consult.defra.gov.uk/eu/environmental-principles-and-governance/   This new piece of legislation will create a statutory and independent environmental watchdog to hold government to account for, English, environmental ambitions and obligations after the UK leaves the EU. The consultation considers some of the key questions around how environmental principles should be embedded into law, public policy-making and delivery, and what functions and powers the new environmental watchdog should have to oversee environmental law and policy.  It is set out in three parts: