The consultation was recommended by economist Dan Corry following the release of his internal regulatory review of Defra last week.
The review recommended that the Defra makes changes to its permitting and enforcement processes.
The reforms being consulted on look to make permitting “more agile”, “slash red tape” and enable regulators to make “risk-based decisions”.
The consultation looks at waste operations amongst other activities such as flood risk management.
The consultation – titled “Exemptions reform to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016” – is now open for eight weeks and will close on 3 June 2025.
Jo Nettleton, chief regulator at the Environment Agency, said: “The Environment Agency firmly believes protecting the environment and sustainable development go hand-in-hand and we support the government’s aim to get the economy growing.
“We welcome the proposed reforms to environmental permitting, which will empower us to carry out our role as a fair and proportionate regulator for people and the environment while supporting business and sustainable economic growth.”
Changes to exempt waste activities
It includes changes to exemptions which Defa said are often “abused” by waste operators and allow regulators to clamp down on waste crime.
Currently, operators of exempt activities are not required to hold a permit, but there are still specified conditions to which they must comply.
The consultation outlines that the current process for changing which activities are exempt is lengthy and subject to disruption, which has led to delays in bringing forward changes in the past.
The proposed reforms would speed up work to update the regulations, allowing the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales to make decisions proportionate to the level of environmental risk on which activities should be exempt from environmental permits.
The proposed changes would also allow a quicker and more flexible response to new technologies and emerging risks.
Plan for Change
The consultation forms part of the government’s wider Plan for Change. Last month (27 March 2025), environment secretary Steve Reed announced the next steps for the circular economy taskforce which also forms part of the Plan for Change.
Environment minister Emma Hardy said: “This government is committed to delivering streamlined, hassle-free regulation that protects the environment while also driving economic growth.
“As part of the Plan for Change, we are rewiring Defra and its arms-length bodies to boost economic growth and unleash an era of building, while also supporting stringent environmental safeguards.
“I encourage all interested parties to take part in the consultation and help shape the future of the environmental permitting regime.”
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