The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

PART I N.I. LIST OF PURPOSES

Preliminary N.I.

1.—(1) Establishing standards, objectives or requirements in relation to emissions within the meaning of the regulations. N.I.

(2) Authorising the making of plans for—

(a) the setting of overall limits,

(b) the allocation of quotas, or

(c) the progressive improvement of standards or objectives,

relating to such emissions.

(3) Authorising the making of schemes for the trading or other transfer of quotas so allocated.

2.—(1) Conferring functions on the Department or the Secretary of State and determining the other bodies or persons (in this Schedule referred to as “enforcing authorities”) by which functions conferred by the regulations— N.I.

(a) in relation to permits under the regulations, or

(b) otherwise for or in connection with the prevention or control of environmental pollution,

are to be exercisable.

(2) Specifying any purposes for which any such functions are to be exercisable by enforcing authorities.

3.  Enabling the Department or the Secretary of State to give directions which enforcing authorities are to comply with, or guidance which enforcing authorities are to have regard to, in exercising functions under the regulations, including— N.I.

(a) directions providing for any functions exercisable by one enforcing authority to be instead exercisable by another, or by the Department or Secretary of State;

[F1 (b) directions given for the purposes of the implementation of—

(i) any [F2 assimilated] obligations;

(ii) any obligations of the United Kingdom under any international agreement to which the United Kingdom is a party;]

(c) directions relating to the exercise of any function in a particular case or class of case.

F1 Sch. 1 para. 3(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(a) (with reg. 46(1)(2)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Word in Sch. 1 para. 3(b)(i) 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. 49(2)(f)

Permits N.I.

4.  Prohibiting persons from operating any installation or plant of any specified description, or otherwise carrying on any activities of any specified description, except— N.I.

(a) under a permit in force under the regulations, and

(b) in accordance with any conditions to which the permit is subject.

5.  Specifying restrictions or other requirements in connection with the grant of permits (including provisions for restricting the grant of permits to those who are fit and proper persons within the meaning of the regulations); and otherwise regulating the procedure to be followed in connection with the grant of permits. N.I.

6.—(1) Prescribing the contents of permits. N.I.

(2) Authorising permits to be granted subject to conditions imposed by enforcing authorities.

(3) Securing that permits have effect subject to—

(a) conditions specified in the regulations; or

(b) rules of general application specified in or made under the regulations.

7.—(1) Requiring permits or the conditions to which permits are subject to be reviewed by enforcing authorities (whether periodically or in any specified circumstances). N.I.

(2) Authorising or requiring the variation of permits or such conditions by enforcing authorities (whether on applications made by holders of permits or otherwise).

(3) Regulating the making of changes—

(a) in the operation of the installations or plant to which permits relate, or

(b) in the case of permits for the carrying on of activities otherwise than in the course of operating any installation or plant, in the carrying on of the activities.

8.—(1) Regulating the transfer or surrender of permits. N.I.

(2) Authorising the revocation of permits by enforcing authorities.

(3) Authorising the imposition by enforcing authorities of requirements with respect to the taking of preventive or remedial action (by holders of permits or other persons) in connection with the surrender or revocation of permits.

9.  Authorising the Department to make schemes for the charging by enforcing authorities of fees or other charges in respect of, or in respect of an application for— N.I.

(a) the grant of a permit,

(b) the variation of a permit or the conditions to which it is subject, or

(c) the transfer or surrender of a permit,

or in respect of the subsistence of a permit.

F3 9A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

F3 Sch. 1 para. 9A omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 10(1)

9B.—(1) Without prejudice to paragraph 9, authorising the Department to make schemes for the charging by enforcing authorities of fees or other charges as a means of recovering costs incurred by them in performing functions conferred [F4 under or by virtue of regulations made for the purpose of implementing [F5 [F6 assimilated] obligations]] . N.I.

[F7 (2) Without prejudice to paragraph 9, authorising the Department to make schemes for the charging by enforcing authorities of fees or other charges (“registry charges”) in respect of—

(a) an application to open an account that, under the [F8 Registries Regulation 2013], is required to be held in a trading scheme registry;

(b) the subsistence of such an account;

(c) the updating of information provided to the Environment Agency in relation to such an account.]

F4 Words in Sch. 1 para. 9B(1) substituted (3.12.2012) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 10(2)(a)

F5 Words in Sch. 1 para. 9B(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F6 Word in Sch. 1 para. 9B(1) 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. 49(2)(f)

F7 Sch. 1 para. 9B(2) substituted (3.12.2012) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 10(2)(b)

F8 Words in Sch. 1 para. 9B(2)(a) substituted (31.1.2014) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme and National Emissions Inventory (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3135), regs. 1, 15

[F9 9C.   Without prejudice to paragraph 9, authorising the Department to make schemes for the charging by enforcing authorities of fees or other charges as a means of recovering costs incurred by them in performing functions conferred by [F10 [F11 assimilated] obligations].] N.I.

F9 Sch. 1 para. 9C inserted (1.1.2018) by The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1200), regs. 2(1), 50 (with reg. 1(2))

F10 Words in Sch. 1 para. 9C substituted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F11 Word in Sch. 1 para. 9C 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. 49(2)(f)

10.  Authorising, or authorising the Department to make schemes for, the charging by the Department or public bodies of fees or other charges in respect of— N.I.

(a) the testing or analysis of substances

(b) the validating of, or of the results of, any testing or analysis of substances, or

(c) assessing how the environment might be affected by the release into it of any substances,

in cases where the testing, analysis, validating or assessing is in any way in anticipation of, or otherwise in connection with, the making of applications for the grant of permits or is carried out in pursuance of conditions to which any permit is subject.

Information, publicity and consultation N.I.

11.  Enabling persons of any specified description (whether or not they are holders of permits) to be required— N.I.

(a) to compile information—

(i) on emissions within the meaning of the regulations;

(ii) on energy consumption and on the efficiency with which energy is used;

(iii) on waste within the meaning of the regulations and on the destinations of such waste;

(b) to provide such information in such manner as is specified in the regulations.

12.  Securing— N.I.

(a) that publicity is given to specified matters;

(b) that enforcing authorities maintain registers of specified matters (but excepting information which under the regulations is, or is determined to be, commercially confidential and subject to any other exceptions specified in the regulations) which are open to public inspection;

(c) that copies of entries in such registers, or of specified documents, may be obtained by members of the public.

13.  Requiring or authorising enforcing authorities to carry out consultation in connection with the exercise of any of their functions; and providing for them to take into account representations made to them on consultation. N.I.

Enforcement and offences N.I.

14.—(1) Conferring on enforcing authorities functions with respect to the monitoring and inspection of the carrying on of activities to which permits relate, including— N.I.

(a) power to take samples or to make copies of information;

(b) power to arrange for preventive or remedial action to be taken at the expense of holders of permits.

(2) Authorising the appointment of suitable persons to exercise any such functions and conferring powers (such as those specified in Article 17(3) of the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 18)) on persons so appointed.

15.—(1) Authorising enforcing authorities to serve on holders of permits— N.I.

(a) notices requiring them to take remedial action in respect of contraventions, actual or potential, of conditions to which their permits are subject;

(b) notices requiring them to provide such financial security as the enforcing authorities serving the notices consider appropriate pending the taking of remedial action in respect of any such contraventions;

(c) notices requiring them to take steps to remove imminent risks of serious environmental pollution (whether or not arising from any such contraventions).

(2) Providing for the enforcement of such notices by proceedings in the High Court.

16.  Authorising enforcing authorities to suspend the operation of permits so far as having effect to authorise the carrying on of activities to which they relate. N.I.

17.  The creation of offences and dealing with matters relating to such offences, including— N.I.

(a) the provision of defences; and

(b) evidentiary matters.

18.  Enabling, where a person has been convicted of an offence under the regulations— N.I.

(a) a court dealing with that person for the offence to order the taking of remedial action (in addition to or instead of imposing any punishment); or

(b) an enforcing authority to arrange for such action to be taken at that person's expense.

Appeals N.I.

19.—(1) Conferring rights of appeal in respect of decisions made, notices served or other things done (or omitted to be done) under the regulations; and making provision for (or for the determination of) matters relating to the making, considering and determination of such appeals (including provision for or in connection with the holding of inquiries or hearings). N.I.

(2) Making provision for—

(a) the payment of fees and costs in connection with such appeals; and

(b) the determination of the amount of any such fees or costs.

General N.I.

20.—(1) Making provision which, subject to any modifications that the Department considers appropriate, corresponds or is similar to— N.I.

(a) any provision made by or under, or capable of being made under—

(i) the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997; or

(ii) Part II of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 19); or

[F12 (b) any provision (not being a provision within any of paragraphs 1 to 19) that might be made by an Act of Parliament in connection with the relevant directives, other than provision—

(i) imposing or increasing taxation;

(ii) taking effect from a date earlier than that of the making of the regulations containing the provision;

(iii) conferring any power to legislate by means of orders, rules, regulations or other subordinate instrument, other than rules of procedure for any court or tribunal;

(iv) creating any new criminal offence punishable with imprisonment for more than two years or punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment for more than three months or with a fine.]

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “the relevant directives” means—

[F13 (a) Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control)] ;

[F14 (b) Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste;]

F15 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F16 (d) Council Directive 87/217/EEC on the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by asbestos;]

[F17 (e) European Parliament and Council Directive 94/63/EC on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations;

(f) Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste as last amended by Directive 2011/97/EU;

(g) Directive 2000/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on end-of life vehicles as last amended by Directive (EU) 2017/2096;

(h) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy;

(i) Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants;

(j) Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage;

(k) Directive 2006/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the management of waste from extractive industries;

(l) Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, as last amended by Directive 2013/56/EU;

(m) Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration);

(n) Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of waste, as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2017/997;

(o) Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide;

(p) Directive 2009/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on stage II petrol vapour recovery during refuelling of motor vehicles at service stations;

(q) Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control);

(r) Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), as it had effect immediately before 4th July 2018;

(s) Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Energy efficiency;

(t) Directive 2013/59/EURATOM laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation;

(u) Directive 2015/2193/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants;

(v) any other directive of the Council of the European Community designated by order for the purposes of this paragraph as in force on exit day.]

[F18 (2A) In sub-paragraph (1)(b)(iii), “power to legislate” does not include any power to—

(a) amend or extend a power to legislate conferred other than under this paragraph;

(b) give directions as to matters of administration.]

(3) Making provision about the application of the regulations to the Crown.

F12 Sch. 1 para. 20(1)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(d)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F13 Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(a) substituted (17.1.2019) by The Air Quality (Amendment, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (S.R. 2018/215), regs. 1(1), 2(4)

F14 Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(b) substituted (8.4.2011) by Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/127), reg. 2(2) (with reg. 9(2))

F15 Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(d)(ii)(aa); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F16 Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(d)(ii)(bb); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F17 Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(e)-(v) added (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(d)(ii)(cc); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F18 Sch. 1 para. 20(2A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/584), regs. 1, 25(d)(iii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)