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;] F8 [F9 ...

[F10 (ca) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, the Agency may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;

(cb) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by the Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations 2005, the Natural Resources Body for Wales may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F11 (cc) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations made under section 62ZA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (special provision with respect to hazardous waste), the Agency or the Natural Resources Body for Wales may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F12 (d) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions in connection with the regulation of the importation or exportation of waste or the transit of waste for export, 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;]

[F13 (da) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations made under section 34CA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (electronic waste tracking) 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;]

[F14 (e) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by [F15 Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council on persistent organic pollutants (recast)] as amended from time to time, [F16 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;]

[F17 (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;]

[F18 (f) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by [F19 [F20 assimilated] law which implemented Council Directive 2006/117/Euratom on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel (as it had effect immediately before IP completion day)], [F21 an appropriate agency] may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F22 (g) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by [F23 [F24 assimilated] law which implemented Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators (as it had effect immediately before IP completion day)] [F25 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 [F26 prescribed;]]

[F27 (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;

F28 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F28 (j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F29 (k) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by Regulation EU 2017/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on mercury, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1102/2008F30 , 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;]

[F31 (l) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer, 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;

(m) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006, 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;]

[F32 (n) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by regulations made under Schedule 4 or 5 to the Environment Act 2021, 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;

(o) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by the End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/263), 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;

(p) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3113), 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;

(q) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions relating to section 33(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Agency or the Natural Resources Body for Wales may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;

(r) as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions relating to regulation 12(1) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154) in relation to a regulated facility which is a waste operation (within the meaning of those Regulations), the Agency or the Natural Resources Body for Wales may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

[F33 (s) as a means of recovering costs which are incurred by it in performing functions relating to sections 45A to 45AZB of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Agency may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed;]

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 [F34 body] in question.

[F35 (1A) In paragraph (d) of subsection (1) “importation”, “exportation”, “transit of waste for export” and “waste” have the meaning they have in section 141 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.]

(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.

[F36 (g) any other approval, consent, consideration or determination carried out by the Agency relating to any [F37 [F38 assimilated] obligation] or any application for such an approval of consent, consideration or determination.]

F39 (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 [F40 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 [F41 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.

[F42 (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—

• F43 ...

• “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.

• F44 ...

• F43 ...

[F45 (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) omitted (E.W.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(a)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F8 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)

F9 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)

F10 S. 41(1)(ca)(cb) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(a)(ii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F11 S. 41(1)(cc) inserted (24.1.2022 for E., 7.3.2022 for W.) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), s. 60(5) (with s. 144); S.I. 2022/48, reg. 2(j); S.I. 2022/223, regs. 1(2), 2(b)

F12 S. 41(1)(d) substituted (24.1.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 62(10)(a), 147(3) (with s. 144); S.I. 2022/48, reg. 2(k)

F13 S. 41(1)(da) inserted (9.1.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 58(4), 147(2)(g) (with s. 144)

F14 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)

F15 Words in s. 41(1)(e) substituted (12.8.2019) by The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Various Amendments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1099), regs. 2(2), 3

F16 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)

F17 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)

F18 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)

F19 Words in s. 41(1)(f) substituted (E.W.) (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(a)(iii) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1540, regs. 1(3), 12(2)(a)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F20 Word in s. 41(1)(f) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 36(2)(b)

F21 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)

F22 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)

F23 Words in s. 41(1)(g) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(a)(iv) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1540, regs. 1(3), 12(2)(a)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F24 Word in s. 41(1)(g) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 36(2)(b)

F25 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)

F26 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)

F27 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)

F28 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)

F29 S. 41(1)(k) inserted (1.1.2018) by The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1200), regs. 2(1), 48 (with reg. 1(2))

F30 OJ No L 137, 24.5.2017, p1.

F31 S. 41(1)(l)(m) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(a)(v); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F32 S. 41(1)(n)-(r) inserted (24.1.2022 for specified purposes, 7.3.2022 for W. for specified purposes, 9.11.2022 for S. for specified purposes) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), s. 64(2) (with s. 144); S.I. 2022/48, reg. 2(l); S.I. 2022/223, regs. 1(2), 2(c); S.S.I. 2022/305, reg. 2(b)

F33 S. 41(1)(s) inserted (17.5.2024) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 57(8), 147(3) (with s. 144); S.I. 2024/639, reg. 2(a)

F34 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)

F35 S. 41(1A) inserted (24.1.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 62(10)(b), 147(3) (with s. 144); S.I. 2022/48, reg. 2(k)

F36 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)

F37 Words in s. 41(2)(g) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F38 Word in s. 41(2)(g) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 36(2)(b)

F39 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))

F40 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)

F41 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)

F42 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)

F43 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)

F44 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))

F45 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 applied (S.) (13.11.2014) by The Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (S.S.I. 2014/258), reg. 1(1), sch. para. 8 (with reg. 3)

C5 S. 41(1)(n) modified (temp.) (24.1.2022 for specified purposes, 7.3.2022 for W. for specified purposes, 9.11.2022 for S. for specified purposes) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), s. 64(4) (with s. 144); S.I. 2022/48, reg. 2(l); S.I. 2022/223, regs. 1(2), 2(c); S.S.I. 2022/305, reg. 2(b)

C6 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