Environment Act 1995

41 Power to make schemes imposing charges. E+W+S

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section and [F1 sections 41B, 41C and 4] below—

(a) in the case of any particular licence under Chapter II of Part II of the 1991 Act (abstraction and impounding), [F2 an appropriate agency] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;

(b) in relation to other environmental licences, there shall be charged by and paid to [F3 the Agency, the Natural Resources Body for Wales or SEPA] such charges as may from time to time be prescribed; F4 ...

[F5 (ba) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by the Reservoirs Act 1975 [F6 an appropriate agency] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

(c) [F7 as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations under section 62 of the 1990 Act (dangerous or intractable waste) each of the new Agencies may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F7 as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations made for the purpose of implementing [F8 Directive 2008/98/EC to the extent that it relates to hazardous waste (within the meaning given by Article 3(2) of that Directive)] [F9 an appropriate agency] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]F10 [F11 ...

(d) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste, as amended from time to time, each of the new Agencies may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]F12 [F13 ...

(e) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by Regulation (EC) No. 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on persistent organic pollutants and amending Directive 79/117/EEC as amended from time to time, [F14 the Agency, the Natural Resources Body for Wales or SEPA] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F15 (f) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations under section 79 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 12), SEPA may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F16 (f) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations made for the purposes of implementing Council Directive 2006/117/Euratom on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel (as amended from time to time), [F17 an appropriate agency] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F18 (g) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations made for the purpose of implementing Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, as amended from time to time, [F19 the Agency, the Natural Resources Body for Wales or SEPA] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be [F20 prescribed;]]

[F21 (h) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulation 8A of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) and National Inventory Regulations 2005, the Agency may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;

F22 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22 (j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

and in this section “prescribed” means specified in, or determined under, a scheme (in this section referred to as a “charging scheme”) made under this section by the [F23 body] in question.

(2) As respects environmental licences, charges may be prescribed in respect of—

(a) the grant or variation of an environmental licence, or any application for, or for a variation of, such a licence;

(b) the subsistence of an environmental licence;

(c) the transfer (where permitted) of an environmental licence to another person, or any application for such a transfer;

(d) the renewal (where permitted) of an environmental licence, or any application for such a renewal;

(e) the surrender (where permitted) of an environmental licence, or any application for such a surrender; or

(f) any application for the revocation (where permitted) of an environmental licence.

[F24 (g) any other approval, consent, consideration or determination carried out by the Agency relating to any obligations of the United Kingdom under the [F25 EU] Treaties or any application for such an approval of consent, consideration or determination.]

F26 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A charging scheme may, for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) above, impose—

(a) a single charge in respect of the whole of any relevant licensed period;

(b) separate charges in respect of different parts of any such period; or

(c) both such a single charge and such separate charges;

and in this subsection “relevant licensed period” means the period during which an environmental licence is in force or such part of that period as may be prescribed.

(4) Without prejudice to subsection (7)(a) below, a charging scheme may, as respects environmental licences, provide for different charges to be payable according to—

(a) the description of environmental licence in question;

(b) the description of authorised activity in question;

(c) the scale on which the authorised activity in question is carried on;

(d) the description or amount of the substance to which the authorised activity in question relates;

(e) the number of different authorised activities carried on by the same person.

(5) A charging scheme—

(a) shall specify, in relation to any charge prescribed by the scheme, the description of person who is liable to pay the charge; and

(b) may provide that it shall be a condition of an environmental licence of any particular description that any charge prescribed by a charging scheme in relation to an environmental licence of that description is paid in accordance with the scheme.

(6) Without prejudice to subsection (5)(b) above, if it appears to [F27 the Agency, the Natural Resources Body for Wales or SEPA] that any charges due and payable to it in respect of the subsistence of an environmental licence have not been paid, it may, in accordance with the appropriate procedure, suspend or revoke the environmental licence to the extent that it authorises the carrying on of an authorised activity.

(7) A charging scheme may—

(a) make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities;

(b) provide for the times at which, and the manner in which, the charges prescribed by the scheme are to be paid;

(c) revoke or amend any previous charging scheme;

(d) contain supplemental, incidental, consequential or transitional provision for the purposes of the scheme.

(8) If and to the extent that a charging scheme relates to licences under Chapter II of Part II of the 1991 Act (abstraction and impounding), the scheme shall have effect subject to any provision made by or under sections 125 to 130 of that Act (exemption from charges, imposition of special charges for spray irrigation, and charges in respect of abstraction from waters of [F28 Canal & River Trust]).

(9) A new Agency shall not make a charging scheme unless the provisions of the scheme have been approved by the Secretary of State under section 42 below.

[F29 (9A) The Natural Resources Body for Wales may not make a charging scheme unless the provisions of the scheme have been approved by the Welsh Ministers under section 42.]

(10) In this section—

• F30 ...

• “the appropriate procedure” means such procedure as may be specified or described in regulations made for the purpose by the Secretary of State;

• “authorised activity” means any activity to which an environmental licence relates.

• F31 ...

• F30 ...

[F32 (10A) Any power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this section is exercisable in relation to Wales only after consultation with the Welsh Ministers.]

(11) Any power to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; and a statutory instrument containing any such regulations shall be subject to annulment pursuant to a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 41(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Consequential Provision) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1821), arts. 1(2), 16(2) (with arts. 24, 28)

F2 Words in s. 41(1)(a) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(a) (with Sch. 7)

F3 Words in s. 41(1)(b) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(b) (with Sch. 7)

F4 Word in s. 41(1)(b) omitted (12.7.2007) by virtue of The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1711), regs. 1, 46(1)(a) (with reg. 3)

F5 S. 41(1)(ba) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2011) by Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (c. 29), s. 49(3), Sch. 4 para. 39 (with s. 49(1)(6)); S.I. 2011/2204, art. 3(1)(h)

F6 Words in s. 41(1)(ba) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(c) (with Sch. 7)

F7 S. 41(1)(c) substituted (E.) (16.7.2005) by The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales)Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/894), regs. 1(1)(b), 59 (with regs. 59(3), 75) and s. 41(1)(c) substituted (W.) (16.7.2005) by The Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1806), regs. 1(2)(ii), 59(2) (with regs. 12-17, 71)

F8 Words in s. 41(1)(c) substituted (E.W.) (29.3.2011) by The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/988), reg. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2) (with regs. 2, 47(2))

F9 Words in s. 41(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(c) (with Sch. 7)

F10 Word in s. 41(1)(c) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3106), regs. 1, 9(1)(a)

F11 S. 41(1)(d) and word inserted (12.7.2007) by The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1711), regs. 1, 46(1)(b) (with reg. 3)

F12 Word in s. 41(1)(d) omitted (25.12.2008) by virtue of The Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3087), regs. 1, 17(1)(a) (with reg. 3)

F13 S. 41(1)(e) and word inserted (3.12.2007) by The Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3106), regs. 1, 9(1)(b)

F14 Words in s. 41(1)(e) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(d) (with Sch. 7)

F15 S. 41(1)(f) inserted (S.) (31.10.2009) by Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 12), s. 100(2), sch. 2 para. 2 (with s. 95); S.S.I. 2009/341, art. 2(2)(c)

F16 S. 41(1)(f) inserted (25.12.2008) by The Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3087), regs. 1, 17(1)(b) (with reg. 3)

F17 Words in s. 41(1)(f) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(e) (with Sch. 7)

F18 S. 41(1)(g) inserted (5.5.2009) by The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/890), reg. 1(2), Sch. 8 para. 1(2)

F19 Word in s. 41(1)(g) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(f) (with Sch. 7)

F20 Word in s. 41(1)(g) substituted (1.1.2012) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Registries and Fees etc.) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2911), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 22(a) (with Sch. para ss. 33-36)

F21 S. 41(1)(h)-(j) inserted (1.1.2012) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Registries and Fees etc.) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2911), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 22(a) (with Sch. para ss. 33-36)

F22 S. 41(1)(i)(j) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 4(a)

F23 Word in s. 41(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(2)(g) (with Sch. 7)

F24 S. 41(2)(g) added (S.) (11.4.2003) by The Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (S.S.I. 2003/235), reg. 21, Sch. 6 para. 1 (with regs. 4, 6)

F25 Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043), arts. 2, 3, 6 (with art. 3(2)(3), 4(2), 6(4)(5))

F26 S. 41(2A) omitted (6.4.2010) by virtue of The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3381), regs. 1(1)(b), 13(2)(a) (with regs. 1(2), 16(2))

F27 Words in s. 41(6) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(3) (with Sch. 7)

F28 Words in s. 41(8) substituted (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 13 (with arts. 4-6)

F29 S. 41(9A) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 372(4) (with Sch. 7)

F30 Words in s. 41(10) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 4(b)

F31 Words in s. 41(10) omitted (6.4.2010) by virtue of The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3381), regs. 1(1)(b), 13(2)(b) (with regs. 1(2), 16(2))

F32 S. 41(10A) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Consequential Provision) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1821), arts. 1(2), 16(3) (with arts. 24, 28)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 41 applied (with modifications) (2.12.1998) by S.I. 1998/2746, reg. 16(1)

S. 41: certain functions made exercisable only after consultation with the Assembly (W.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 5, Sch. 2

C2 S. 41 restricted (E.W.) (3.11.2003) by End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2635), regs. 1(2)(b), 49(2) (with regs. 3, 4)

C3 S. 41 applied (with modifications) by SI 2002/1559, Sch. 4 para. 5(15) (as inserted (E.W.) (15.5.2006) by The Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/937), regs. 1(2), 9(15))

C4 S. 41(10): transfer of functions (10.7.2008) by The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1776), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 41 wholly in force at 1.4.1996; s. 41 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 125(3); s. 41 in force for specified purposes at 21.9.1995 by S.I. 1995/1983, art. 3; s. 41 in force for further specified purposes at 1.2.1996 by S.I. 1996/186, art 2; s. 41 in force at 1.4.1996 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1996/186, art 3