Guidance documents to help you understand the Environmental Permitting (EP) Regulations
Technical guidance for environmental permits is issued by local authorities - often known as Part A2 and Part B activities.
We draft, revise and consult the technical guidance, but Defra and Welsh Assembly Government decide and issue it. Scotland and Northern Ireland use it too.
Local authority guidance
Guidance is available from Defra for local authority regulated Part A2 and Part B activities:
Which technical guidance in which?
Under the heading 'Key publications and documents' on the Defra website you will find:
- Sector guidance notes – for local authority regulated integrated environmental permits, often known as Part A2
- Process guidance notes – for local authority regulated environmental permits for emissions to air only (known as Part B)
- Air Quality (AQ) notes, to check for updates
Help me understand a technical guidance note.
Our helpline can answer questions about what a note means in non-site specific terms:
For ‘site specific’ advice, ask the regulator. Regulators are asked to follow AQ20(06), available in the Air Quality notes section on Defra's website, before using the helpline.
Who answers other questions about Part A2 or B activities for example regulation, policy, procedures or fees etc?
For Defra and Welsh Assembly Government contact details, please see Air Quality note AQ20(06):
What technical guidance is being revised now?
The Part B note review is just starting.
How do I comment on draft revisions?
You can ask us for a copy of the latest draft, and email comments to us.
We can tell you what stage the revisions and consultations have reached. Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government handle the final wide consultation, and comments received, before deciding and publishing the note.
