The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. Comes into force 22nd May. These Regulations revoke and replace the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/544). • Part 2 covers the identification of river basin districts and the assessments thereof • Part 3 covers the protection of designated areas, specifically sources if drinking water, for shellfish and for natural habitats and birds. • Part 4 covers water quality monitoring • Part 5 covers the establishment of environmental objectives and improvement programmes

Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/776.  Comes into force 24th May.   Regulation amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical and scientific progress, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.

Amendments made to Annex VI to Regulation include changes to Part 1, Specific concentration limits, M-factors and Acute Toxicity Estimates, Sections 1.2.1, 1.2.2 and 1.2.3 and Table 3 (entries for index numbers 006-046-00-8, 604-057-00-8, 605-023-00-5, 606-041-00-6, 607-123-00-4, 608-055-00-8, 612-150-00-X, 613-318-00-5, 614-001-00-4, 615-013-00-2, 616-006-00-7, 616-094-00-7 and 650-032-00-X).

The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017.  Comes into force May 16th.These Regulations revoke and replace the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (SR 2015/74).

The Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. Comes into force 5th June.  These Regulations revoke and replace Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (SR 2005/32).