Circular economy growth plan for England 

The Circular Economy Task Force continues to make progress on a circular economy (CE) growth plan for England, to be available soon. A wide range of stakeholders have been engaged in the development of the strategy.

Environment Agency (EA) commissioned research into POPs/hazardous substances in construction products/waste

The EA is continuing to tackle non-compliance with the existing POPs Regulations in a number of sectors. As part of this work, waste streams are often sampled to help the EA identify specific waste materials at risk of mismanagement. The Agency has now finalised their report investigating POPs/hazardous substances in C&D waste, and intends on sharing this with the industry. The report has identified hazardous substances relevant to waste classification and some POPs are present in C&D waste. The Agency is also working through the potential impacts and implications from the findings of the report. Initially it will look to engage with representatives of the sector, and provide additional guidance, before beginning compliance work.

Revision of Waste Framework/Quality Protocol for Aggregates

The Aggregate from inert waste resource framework first draft has been submitted and reviewed by the lead on quality protocols and resource frameworks and EA technical specialists. The document is now with task and finish group members for review. Scheme rules are being developed by industry for the third-party certification scheme. The report has not been agreed or signed off by their legal department, so the current guidance available on the gov.uk website should be followed (published in 2013).

CL:AIRE provides guidance on the process.

For updates/notifications contact: [email protected]

Exemptions Reform to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016

Defra and the Welsh Government published their consultation response to exemptions reform in October 2025. Find out more here

These reforms will enable regulators to create, amend and remove types of exempt facilities and activities that are not required to hold an environmental permit. A press release was also released for further information.