The Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP) is a joint Environment Agency, Defra and Welsh Assembly Government initiative which reduces red tape for industry and regulators, by streamlining and consolidating the nuts and bolts of environmental permitting systems (eg, the processes of obtaining, varying and transferring permits).

The first phase of the programme (EPP1) goes live on 6 April 2008. It is a better regulation initiative that replaces over 40 statutory instruments with a single set of Regulations - the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 - one third of the length of the previous legislation. EPP1 delivers more flexibility for industry, a simpler risk-based system for regulators and continued protection of the environment and human health.

The second phase of the Programme (EPP2) aims to extend the common permitting platform created by EPP1 by integrating and streamlining further environmental permitting regimes, including those for water discharge consenting, groundwater authorisation, water abstraction, radioactive substances regulation and licensing of some waste carriers and brokers. It will also provide a straightforward means of delivering the permitting and compliance requirements of pipeline EU directives such as those relating to Mining Waste and Batteries. EPP2 will provide industry, regulators and the public with a single regulatory system.

At a recent CIWM conference in Preston, Project Executive Jeremy Frost described the process as a "Journey" and accepted criticisms from delegates about a lack of guidance prior to the launch. However, the changes were intended to simplify the current process of obtaining environmental consents and therefore should be beneficial to both industry and Agency. Following the current review of exempt activities any changes may be integrated into the EPP at a later stage. In the short to medium term more complex PPC Permitted activities will remain outside the scope of the new regulations.