Marine Recovery Fund: How to Apply, Update 04/11/26
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has updated its guidance on how offshore wind developers can apply to use the Marine Recovery Fund (MRF). The update provides further clarification on application procedures for both pre-consent and post-consent projects, including the submission of expression of interest forms, the reservation of strategic compensatory measures and the transfer of existing environmental compensation arrangements to the MRF.
The guidance also clarifies the requirements for developers who already hold consent, including the application process, payment arrangements and transfer of responsibility for delivering environmental compensation measures.
Source: Defra.
Open Consultation: Exemption Proposals for the Environmental Permitting Regulations
The Environment Agency (EA) has published a consultation seeking views on seven proposed exemptions from environmental permitting requirements under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. The proposals aim to simplify regulatory requirements for low-risk construction activities in England while maintaining environmental protection.
The consultation covers activities relating to waste operations, water discharges, groundwater and flood risks. It seeks feedback on the environmental risks, proposed conditions and limitations, and how the exemptions should be applied to ensure adequate protection of the environment and human health.
This consultation closes on 29 December 2026.
Source: EA.
Oil and Gas: Environmental Alerts and Incident Reporting including Anonymous Reporting, Update
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) have updated its guidance on oil and gas environmental alerts and incident reporting. The update revises the contact details on the PON1, PON2 and PON10 reporting forms used to notify the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) of environmental incidents and non-compliance relating to offshore oil and gas operations.
Source: DESNZ, OPRED.
HSE – Review of Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Consultation Response
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its response to a consultation on proposed changes to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, following feedback from stakeholders. HSE has confirmed that it will amend Regulation 20 to ensure that asbestos analysts responsible for site clearance certification are appointed independently of asbestos removal contractors, reducing potential conflicts of interest. Industry and dutyholders will have one year from November 2026 to prepare for the change. HSE will also update relevant guidance to improve the quality of asbestos surveys and clarify the requirements for Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW), with the aim of strengthening asbestos safety standards and protecting workers and building occupants.
Source: HSE.
UK ETS Technical Guidance: Monitoring and Reporting Regulation (MRR) 2018, Update 03/11/26
DESNZ has updated the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) technical guidance on the Monitoring and Reporting Regulation (MRR) 2018 on 3 November 2026. The update relates specifically to the document VMRVP01: Waste installations in the voluntary MRV-only period, which provides guidance to waste installation operators participating in the voluntary monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) period.
Source: HMSO.
SI 2026/1150 The Export Control (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Export Control Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3231) to update the control lists in Schedule 2, reflecting changes to export controls on conventional weapons agreed under the Wassenaar Arrangement.
The Regulations also amend Schedule 4 to reflect changes to the UK’s sanctions framework and the scope of arms embargoes. Haiti is moved to the list of embargoed destinations subject to transit controls for military goods, while the Central African Republic is moved to the list of destinations subject to transit controls for military goods.
Source: HMSO.
SI 2026/1153 The Control of Asbestos (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/632) to introduce a requirement for the assessment of cleanliness following asbestos-related work to be carried out by a person appointed independently of the person who undertook the asbestos work. The employer responsible for ensuring the premises are cleaned will no longer be permitted to appoint the person conducting the assessment.
The new requirement comes into force on 25 November 2027, with the existing arrangements remaining in place until that date. The Regulations also update and remove outdated legislative references. No significant impact on the private or voluntary sector is anticipated.
Source: HMSO.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: Advice on the Preparation and Submission of Application Documents, Update 02/11/26
The Planning Inspectorate has updated the guidance on how application documents and supporting information should be prepared, organised, and submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
The update reflects that biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) with an onshore component, located wholly or partly in England, from 2 November 2026.
Source: Planning Inspectorate.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: Changes to an Application after it has been Accepted for Examination, Update 02/11/26
The Planning Inspectorate has updated the guidance on how an applicant can request a change to a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) application after it has been accepted for examination, and before the close of the examination.
The update reflects that biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) with an onshore component, located wholly or partly in England, from 2 November 2026.
Source: Planning Inspectorate.
Open Consultation: Consultation on the Proposed Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Medical Stores)(Amendment) and Light Dues (Amendment) Regulations 2027
The MCA has opened a consultation on the proposed Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Medical Stores) (Amendment) and Light Dues (Amendment) Regulations 2027 which update both SI 2005/1802 Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Medical Stores) Regulations 1995 and SI 2025/278 Merchant Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 2025.
The proposed regulations will update the 1995 regulations by adding an exemption clause for tailored application of the regulations, accommodating unique circumstances or challenges faced by certain ships or operators.
The proposed regulations also make an unrelated amendment to the 2025 Regulations to include SI 2005/2115 Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Order 2005 as a necessary enabling power. It should be noted that the MCA is not consulting on the amendments to the Light Dues Regulations, this has been included for information only.
This consultation closes on 27 November 2026.
Source: MCA.
Scottish Government – Offshore Renewable Energy Projects: Supplementary Guidance for Applicants
The Scottish Government has published supplementary guidance for prospective applicants preparing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping reports and assessments for offshore renewable energy projects. It sets out how to carry out consistent assessment of impacts on commercial fisheries and compliments the SESI guidance.
Source: Scottish Government.
UK ETS Authority: Future Treatment of Free Allocation for Refinery Products following HMT Announcement on CBAM
Following the UK Government’s announcement that it intends to expand the scope of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to include refinery products, the UK ETS Authority will look carefully at the future treatment of UK ETS Free Allocation for refinery products, noting its previous announced phased reduction of Free Allocation for CBAM-covered sectors. The Authority will appropriately consult stakeholders as necessary.
This means that no change to the treatment of Free Allocation for refinery products is being communicated through this alert. The UK ETS Authority will consider the implications of the Government’s intended expansion of UK CBAM and will engage and consult stakeholders as appropriate before relevant decisions are taken.
Source: UK ETS.
Funding Maintenance of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in New Developments, New Guidance
Defra has published new guidance for developers and maintaining bodies on agreeing commuted sums to fund the maintenance of communal SuDS in new developments in England.
This guidance helps developers and maintaining bodies take a consistent and transparent approach to funding the long-term maintenance of communal SuDS in new developments.
It explains how to agree responsibilities and how to calculate commuted sums. It covers whole-life costs, phased planning, risk management and long-term monitoring.
Source: Defra.
Collection: Applying for Energy Infrastructure Consents, Update 27/10/26
DESNZ has updated the collection to reflect the current guidance available for energy infrastructure consents, including new guidance on the Submit Your Energy Infrastructure Application (SYEIA) Portal, and from the Post-Consent Unit (PCU) on discharging requirements for nuclear and electricity transmission DCOs.
Source: DESNZ.
Statutory Guidance: Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, Update 27/10/26
The OPSS has updated the GB product safety guides to remove now unnecessary legislative references and simplify the language.
There are no changes to the regulations themselves.
Source: OPSS.
Statutory Guidance: Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, Update 27/10/26
The OPSS has updated the GB product safety guides to remove now unnecessary legislative references and simplify the language.
There are no changes to the regulations themselves.
Source: OPSS.
OPRED Reminder: Oil Spill Response Workshop – 2 December 2026
OPRED is reminding relevant Responsible Persons of the Oil Spill Response Workshop on Wednesday 2 December 2026 at the OEUK offices in Aberdeen.
The workshop is for relevant Gas Installation Operators, Well Operators, Pipeline Operators and Non-Production Installation Owners who are required under the OPEP Guidance to attend the workshop in lieu of undertaking a company-specific Tier 3 exercise.
Organisations that have not yet registered should nominate up to two representatives and provide their details to OPRED@energysecurity.gov.uk by 31 October 2026.
Source: OPRED.
NSTA: Licensing Update, 26/10/26
The NSTA has published a letter from DESNZ, dated 21 October 2026 , regarding an update on petroleum licensing.
This letter states that the Government plans to end new oil and gas exploration licences while introducing Transitional Energy Certificates (TECs) as part of a managed transition for the North Sea. Until the necessary legislation is passed, the NSTA is being asked to consider a very limited number of urgent licensing applications where projects cannot wait, taking account of the Government’s policy commitments. Applicants must demonstrate committed funding, credible delivery plans, imminent operational activity and a clear need for an early decision. Any decisions will remain at the NSTA’s discretion and subject to its statutory and regulatory obligations.
Source: NSTA.
NSTA: Carbon Storage Stewardship Survey 2026
The NSTA 2026 Carbon Storage Stewardship Survey launches on Monday 2 November 2026, and closes on Friday 29 January 2027.
The 2026 Carbon Storage Stewardship Survey (CSSS) is to be completed by the operators of all UK carbon storage licences. This survey only requests data related to processes involving the storage of carbon dioxide.
For each carbon storage exploration or storage licensee holder, the assigned Single Point of Accountability (SPA) will be the point of contact whilst the survey is live, as well as being the person responsible for the completion and submission of the survey.
The CSS Survey will be available to download/upload via North Sea Transition Authority Web Client Web Client (SFTP) portal.
A supporting CSSS User Guide, to assist an operator whilst completing the CSS Survey, will be available for download from the portal as well as this landing webpage.
Source: NSTA.
MGN 721 (M+F) Interpretation of References to Marine Equipment Directive (MED) Approved Equipment in Selected MCA Documentation
The MCA has published this new marine guidance note (MGN) which gives instructions for how outdated MED approval terms in selected MCA publications should be applied under current UK marine equipment requirements.
This notice should be read with SI 2025/1280 Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025, as amended, and MSN 1874 (M+F), as amended.
Source: MCA.
