In-depth guides
ACoP L87 min read
Legionella and water safety: what the law requires
The duties under ACoP L8, HSG274 and the Health and Safety at Work Act to control Legionella in water systems, and how to evidence compliance.
Read the guideWIA 1991 s1186 min read
Trade effluent consent: the rules and the charges
Why discharging trade effluent to the public sewer needs consent under the Water Industry Act, how the Mogden formula sets your bill, and what a breach costs.
Read the guideHSG274 Part 16 min read
Cooling tower compliance: Legionella, notification and cost
The legal duties for wet cooling towers, from local-authority notification to ACoP L8 and HSG274 Part 1, and the water cost that sits alongside the risk.
Read the guideMEES6 min read
MEES and EPC: the minimum energy standards to let property
Why commercial property must meet a minimum EPC rating to be let, where the standard is heading, and what happens to sub-standard stock.
Read the guideSECR & ESOS6 min read
Carbon and energy reporting: SECR, ESOS and what comes next
Who has to report energy and carbon under SECR and ESOS, the deadlines that bite, and how the new UK Sustainability Reporting Standards change the picture.
Read the guideWater Targets 20236 min read
Storm overflows and phosphorus: the tightening water targets
The legal targets pushing water companies to cut storm-overflow spills and phosphorus discharges, the deadlines, and the penalties for falling short.
Read the guideEED 2024/13646 min read
Data centre reporting: water, energy and the new rules
The energy and water reporting and efficiency duties closing in on data centres, from the EU reporting rules to the Climate Change Agreement and water pacts.
Read the guideAbstraction reform6 min read
Water abstraction and Farming Rules for Water: what is changing
How abstraction licences are converting to environmental permits, what the Farming Rules for Water require, and why water and nutrients are under tightening control.
Read the guideAMR NAP 2024-296 min read
Antimicrobial resistance: the National Action Plan and your duty
What the UK's 5-year AMR National Action Plan asks of healthcare providers, why infection prevention and water and air safety sit at the centre of it.
Read the guideBrowse the register
Every duty we track, by area
49 UK environmental and safety duties an HES buyer can carry, each with what it requires, the deadlines, what is at stake, and how to evidence control. Every entry is sourced. Pick an area, or open one to read the detail.
Water safety4Water quality4Discharge and effluent4Abstraction and storage2Energy4Carbon and disclosure3Buildings and EPC1Waste3Air quality and emissions2Biodiversity and nature2Food safety1Infection prevention and hand hygiene15Accreditation and infection control4
Water safety
Legionella, cooling towers, spa pools and safe water in buildings.
ACoP L8RiskObligationLegionella control in water systems (ACoP L8 and HSG274)
What you must doAppoint a competent Responsible Person, assess the risk in writing, put a control scheme in place, monitor it, and keep records. A court can treat failure to follow the ACoP as evidence of breaking the law.
Applies toAny business with a water system that could create a risk of exposure to Legionella: hot and cold water services, cooling towers, spa pools, calorifiers and more.
When it bitesContinuously, wherever a water system could let Legionella grow and create breathable droplets.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeProsecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act with unlimited fines. One spa-pool outbreak that caused three deaths led to a fine of GBP 1,000,000.
How to evidence itA current written risk assessment, up-to-date monitoring and temperature records, and, increasingly, independent laboratory verification that the system is under control.
Legal basisHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (s2 and s3) and COSHH 2002, with the Approved Code of Practice L8 (special legal status) and HSG274. Issued by Health and Safety Executive.
Turn a continuous, personal Legionella duty into a defensible compliance file, with waterborne risk brought under control and independently confirmed.
Cooling towersRiskObligationCostCooling towers and evaporative condensers (HSG274 Part 1 and the 1992 Notification Regulations)
What you must doNotify the local authority of the device, then assess and control the Legionella risk under a written control scheme with monitoring and records.
Applies toOperators of wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers, including many data centres, hospitals, large commercial sites and industrial plant.
When it bitesOn operating any wet cooling system, which must be notified to the local authority and managed to HSG274 Part 1.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty); notify on installation or change
What is at stakeEnforced under the Health and Safety at Work Act with unlimited fines; non-notification is itself an offence.
How to evidence itLocal-authority notification on record, a current risk assessment, treatment and monitoring records, and independent confirmation the system is in control.
Legal basisNotification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992, with ACoP L8 and HSG274 Part 1. Issued by Health and Safety Executive / local authority.
Harden cooling-tower Legionella control and cut the water and chemicals it burns, without touching uptime.
HSG282RiskObligationCostSpa pools and pool water (HSG282 and PWTAG Code of Practice)
What you must doManage spa and pool water to the recognised standard: risk assessment, disinfection and circulation control, microbiological monitoring and records.
Applies toHotels, leisure centres, holiday lets and spas operating spa pools, hydrotherapy pools and swimming pools.
When it bitesOn operating a spa or swimming pool open to staff, guests or the public.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeProsecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act with unlimited fines; HSE and local authorities treat PWTAG and HSG282 as the standard to achieve.
How to evidence itA current pool water risk assessment, daily and microbiological test records, and a documented treatment regime.
Legal basisHSG282 (spa pool systems) and the PWTAG Code of Practice, under the Health and Safety at Work Act and ACoP L8. Issued by Health and Safety Executive / Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group.
Keep pools open and guests safe, with waterborne risk controlled and pool-hall running cost cut.
HTM 04-01RiskObligationSafe water in healthcare premises (HTM 04-01)
What you must doRun a Water Safety Group and Water Safety Plan, control Legionella and Pseudomonas, manage temperatures and dead legs, and keep records. Failure can trigger CQC enforcement.
Applies toNHS and healthcare premises responsible for water systems serving patients, including vulnerable and immunocompromised people.
When it bitesContinuously, for any healthcare provider operating water systems.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeSits within CQC enforcement and the Health and Safety at Work Act; failures threaten registration as well as patient safety.
How to evidence itAn active Water Safety Plan, Water Safety Group minutes, monitoring records, and independent verification of microbiological control.
Legal basisHealth Technical Memorandum 04-01, alongside ACoP L8 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, enforced through CQC registration. Issued by NHS England / Department of Health and Social Care.
Keep patients safe and accreditation secure, with waterborne and infection risk reduced and evidenced.
Water quality
Drinking water, private supplies, river and groundwater status, and nutrients on land.
PWS 2016ObligationRiskDrinking water quality and private water supplies
What you must doEnsure water is wholesome and meets prescribed standards; permit risk assessment and monitoring and remediate any failure.
Applies toWater undertakers and operators of private supplies such as boreholes and springs serving rural estates, some hotels, farms and isolated facilities.
When it bitesContinuously where premises rely on a private supply; local authorities risk-assess and sample.
DeadlinesOngoing (in force since 27 June 2016)
What is at stakeLocal authorities can serve notices requiring remedial works and, where a supply is a potential danger to health, can restrict or prohibit its use.
How to evidence itCurrent risk assessment, sampling results against the standards, and a record of remedial action.
Legal basisWater Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/614) and the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/618). Issued by Drinking Water Inspectorate / local authorities.
Hold a wholesome, compliant supply at premises off the mains, with treatment that keeps it in standard.
WFD Regs 2017ObligationRiskWater Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations 2017
What you must doDo not cause deterioration of water-body status and comply with conditions, derived from River Basin Management Plan objectives, that flow through your permits and licences.
Applies toOperators whose abstraction, discharge or physical works could affect the status of a river, lake or groundwater body.
When it bitesWhen an activity could cause deterioration of water-body status; River Basin Management Plan objectives feed into permit decisions.
DeadlinesOngoing (River Basin Management Plan cycles)
What is at stakeNo standalone penalty in most cases; enforced through the permits and licences that carry the conditions.
How to evidence itPermit and licence compliance records that show no deterioration and that conditions are met.
Legal basisWater Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/407). Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales / Defra.
Farming RulesObligationFarming Rules for Water and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
What you must doPlan nutrient applications to crop and soil need, avoid application that risks runoff, and observe closed periods and storage rules in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.
Applies toFarmers and land managers applying nutrients to land, especially within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.
When it bitesOn applying organic or manufactured fertiliser, and on managing soil and runoff.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency through advice, notices and prosecution.
How to evidence itNutrient management plans, soil testing, application records, and adequate slurry and manure storage.
Legal basisReduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018 and the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations (retained UK law). Issued by Environment Agency / Defra.
Protect yield and soil while using less fertiliser, and keep nutrient runoff within the rules.
Reg 31ObligationRiskRegulation 31: materials and products in contact with drinking water
What you must doUse only approved substances, products and processes in public supplies; manufacturers must obtain Regulation 31 approval before water companies use a product.
Applies toManufacturers, specifiers and contractors using chemicals, products or materials in contact with public drinking water from source to delivery.
When it bitesWhen a substance, product or process is to be used in a public water supply.
DeadlinesOngoing (approval precedes use)
What is at stakeAn approval-and-compliance mechanism overseen by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, enforced through the Water Industry Act 1991 regime for water companies; there is no separate Regulation 31 penalty figure.
How to evidence itEvidence that materials and chemicals specified hold current Regulation 31 approval.
Legal basisRegulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended). Issued by Drinking Water Inspectorate / Secretary of State.
Discharge and effluent
What you put to sewer, to water and to ground, and how you store what could pollute.
Trade effluentObligationRiskCostTrade effluent consent (Water Industry Act 1991, s118)
What you must doHold a consent and discharge within its conditions on volume, strength, pH and monitoring. Discharging without or outside consent is a criminal offence.
Applies toAny business discharging trade effluent to the public sewer, including food and drink processors, manufacturers and laundries.
When it bitesBefore any discharge of trade effluent to sewer, and continuously while discharging.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeA criminal offence with unlimited Crown Court fines; charges are also driven by the strength and volume of what you discharge.
How to evidence itA current consent that matches what you discharge, monitoring against limits, and records showing consistent compliance with headroom.
Legal basisWater Industry Act 1991, s118. Issued by Sewerage undertakers (water companies).
Cut the trade-effluent bill and hold consent, by reducing the strength of what you discharge, without touching uptime.
Storm overflowsObligationCostRiskStorm overflows and phosphorus targets (Environment Act 2021)
What you must doReduce spill frequency and phosphorus loading to the statutory targets, with a roughly GBP 12bn programme to cut spills, and a 50% phosphorus-loading cut by 2028 and 80% by 2038.
Applies toWater and wastewater companies, and the works and networks that discharge to rivers and the sea.
When it bitesAcross the asset base, against statutory reduction and phosphorus-loading targets.
Deadlines2028 and 2038 (phosphorus); 2029, 2035 and 2050 (spills)
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency and Ofwat, with penalties for breaches and a strong public and political spotlight.
How to evidence itMonitored spill data, nutrient-removal performance, and delivery against the investment programme.
Legal basisEnvironment Act 2021, the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, and the Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023. Issued by Defra / Environment Agency / Ofwat.
Hit tightening discharge and nutrient targets while cutting the energy and chemicals it takes to get there.
EPR 2016ObligationRiskCostEnvironmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
What you must doHold the correct permit or registered exemption and operate within its conditions, applying best available techniques where required, with records and reporting.
Applies toOperators of regulated facilities: installations, waste operations, water-discharge and groundwater activities, and certain air-emission activities.
When it bitesBefore carrying on a regulated activity, such as discharging to controlled waters or operating combustion or waste plant.
DeadlinesOngoing (permit precedes the activity)
What is at stakePollution offences carry unlimited fines and up to five years' imprisonment. Civil sanctions include variable monetary penalties, which became unlimited when the previous GBP 250,000 cap was removed in December 2023.
How to evidence itThe correct permit in force, monitoring to its conditions, an environmental management system, and an incident log.
Legal basisEnvironmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1154), as amended. Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales / local authorities.
Stay inside permit conditions and reduce the load your processes put to water and air, lowering both risk and cost.
Oil Storage 2001ObligationRiskControl of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001
What you must doKeep oil in robust containers within secondary containment holding at least 110% of the maximum capacity, inspected and maintained to prevent leaks and water pollution.
Applies toAnyone in England storing more than 200 litres of oil, including sites with standby generators, heating oil or bulk storage.
When it bitesOn storing oil above the 200-litre threshold in tanks, drums or mobile bowsers.
DeadlinesOngoing (in force since 1 March 2002)
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency through remedial notices, civil sanctions and prosecution, with offences punishable by fine.
How to evidence itCompliant bunding, inspection records, and a maintained pollution-prevention plan.
Legal basisControl of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/2954). Issued by Environment Agency.
Abstraction and storage
Taking water from the environment, and holding it safely on site.
AbstractionObligationCostWater abstraction licensing and reform (Environment Act 2021)
What you must doHold an abstraction licence, stay within its volumes and conditions, and prepare for licences to become revocable Environmental Permits by 2028.
Applies toOperators abstracting water from rivers, lakes or groundwater above the licensable threshold, including farms, food sites and large estates.
When it bitesOn abstracting above the threshold; licences are converting to revocable Environmental Permits.
DeadlinesPermit conversion by 2028
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency, with the prospect of tighter or revoked entitlements in stressed catchments.
How to evidence itMetered abstraction within licensed volumes, and a plan to reduce reliance where catchments are under pressure.
Legal basisWater Resources Act 1991 abstraction licensing, reformed under the Environment Act 2021. Issued by Environment Agency / UK Government.
Do more with less abstracted water, protecting both your entitlement and your running cost as catchments tighten.
Reservoirs ActObligationRiskReservoirs Act 1975 (reservoir safety)
What you must doRegister the reservoir, appoint qualified panel engineers to inspect and supervise it, maintain and inspect the structure, and hold an on-site emergency flood plan.
Applies toOwners and operators of large raised reservoirs holding more than 25,000 cubic metres above the surrounding land, including estates, farms, industrial sites and water companies.
When it bitesOn constructing, altering or operating a qualifying reservoir.
DeadlinesRegistration within 28 days of the final certificate; ongoing inspection
What is at stakeOffences under the Act, such as failing to register or to appoint engineers, are punishable by fines, with the most serious offences carrying an unlimited fine.
How to evidence itRegistration on record, panel-engineer inspection reports, maintenance records and a current emergency plan.
Legal basisReservoirs Act 1975 and the Reservoirs Act 1975 (Capacity, Registration, Prescribed Forms, etc.) (England) Regulations 2013. Issued by Environment Agency.
Energy
Energy audits, heat networks and combustion plant.
ESOSObligationCostEnergy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
What you must doAudit total energy use across buildings, processes and transport, identify cost-effective savings, and report compliance, with an action plan and progress updates.
Applies toLarge undertakings that meet the size threshold (broadly large companies and groups).
When it bitesEvery four-year compliance phase, on qualifying organisations.
DeadlinesPhase 4 compliance by 5 December 2027; four-yearly thereafter
What is at stakeCivil penalties from the Environment Agency for failing to comply or report.
How to evidence itA completed ESOS assessment, a board-signed-off report, an action plan, and progress against it.
Legal basisThe Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014 (as amended). Issued by Environment Agency.
Turn the audit you must do anyway into delivered savings, by cutting the energy your water, air and process systems burn.
Heat networksObligationCostHeat networks regulation (Ofgem authorisation) and metering and billing
What you must doHold an Ofgem authorisation, register, and comply with conditions on billing, consumer protection and metering.
Applies toOperators and owners of district and communal heating or cooling networks, including large estates, mixed-use developments, campuses and social housing.
When it bitesOn carrying on a regulated heat-network activity.
DeadlinesAuthorisation conditions in effect from 27 January 2026
What is at stakeEnforced by Ofgem, which can issue compliance and consumer-redress orders, impose financial penalties, and revoke an authorisation.
How to evidence itOfgem authorisation and registration, compliant metering, and billing that meets the conditions.
Legal basisEnergy Act 2023 and the Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025, replacing the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014. Issued by Ofgem / Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.
DC reportingObligationCostData centre energy and water reporting (CCA, ESOS and EU EED)
What you must doMeet the Climate Change Agreement target (14.5% energy improvement against 2022 by 2030), complete ESOS, and report PUE and WUE where the EU Energy Efficiency Directive applies.
Applies toData centre operators, with extra reporting where operations are EU-facing above 500 kW IT load.
When it bitesAcross the energy and water performance of the facility, against agreement and reporting obligations.
Deadlines2030 (CCA); four-yearly (ESOS); annual (EU EED)
What is at stakeLoss of Climate Change Agreement relief, and civil penalties under ESOS, for non-compliance.
How to evidence itMetered PUE and WUE, energy-improvement evidence against the 2022 baseline, and a completed ESOS assessment.
Legal basisClimate Change Agreement for data centres, ESOS, and EU Energy Efficiency Directive reporting (for in-scope EU-facing operations). Issued by DESNZ / techUK; Environment Agency; European Commission.
Cut the cost and water your cooling burns and report stronger PUE and WUE, without touching uptime.
MCPDObligationCostMedium Combustion Plant Directive and Specified Generators
What you must doHold the right permit, meet emission limits for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust, and monitor and report emissions.
Applies toOperators of medium combustion plant rated 1 to 50 MW thermal, including boilers, engines, CHP and standby or peaking generators.
When it bitesOn operating an in-scope plant, with permitting and emission limits phased by size and age.
DeadlinesExisting plant: 2024 for above 5 MW, 2029 for 1 to 5 MW; new plant before operation
What is at stakeEnforced under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, with unlimited fines and civil sanctions.
How to evidence itThe permit in force, emission monitoring to its limits, and maintenance records.
Legal basisMedium Combustion Plant and Specified Generator provisions of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (transposing Directive (EU) 2015/2193). Issued by Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales.
Carbon and disclosure
Carbon reporting, emissions trading and refrigerant gases.
SECR / SRSObligationSECR and UK Sustainability Reporting Standards disclosure
What you must doReport energy use and carbon emissions, with intensity metrics and efficiency actions, moving toward full climate-related financial disclosure.
Applies toLarge companies and LLPs, with broader climate disclosure phasing in.
When it bitesAnnually, in the directors' report and, increasingly, in fuller climate disclosure.
DeadlinesAnnual; UK SRS climate disclosure phasing from FY2026
What is at stakeSits within company reporting law; misstatement and omission carry governance and reputational consequences.
How to evidence itAuditable energy and carbon data, a clear methodology, and a record of the efficiency actions reported.
Legal basisStreamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (Companies regulations) moving to UK Sustainability Reporting Standards based on ISSB. Issued by UK Government / Department for Business and Trade.
Report with confidence and show real reductions, as the cost and carbon of your estate fall.
UK ETSObligationCostUK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS)
What you must doHold a greenhouse gas emissions permit, monitor and report verified emissions each year, and surrender allowances equal to those emissions.
Applies toOperators of installations combusting fuels above 20 MW thermal, energy-intensive industry, aviation, and larger sites with significant standby generation.
When it bitesAnnually, on in-scope installations, to monitor, report and surrender allowances.
DeadlinesAnnual compliance cycle; second allocation period from 2027
What is at stakeCivil penalties under the scheme: an excess emissions penalty of GBP 100 for each allowance not surrendered (uprated for inflation, with the allowances still falling due), a GBP 20,000 fixed penalty plus GBP 1,000 a day for failing to return allowances, and an under-reporting penalty based on the annual carbon price.
How to evidence itA current emissions permit, a verified annual emissions report, and surrendered allowances on record.
Legal basisThe Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 (as amended), under the Climate Change Act 2008. Issued by UK ETS Authority / Environment Agency.
F-gasObligationCostGB F-gas Regulation (fluorinated greenhouse gases)
What you must doCarry out regular leak checks, use certified technicians, keep records, and observe bans on high global-warming-potential refrigerants, including the 2025 bans on certain new air-conditioning and on virgin HFCs for servicing.
Applies toOperators of stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning, heat-pump and fire-protection equipment containing fluorinated gases.
When it bitesOn owning, operating, installing, servicing or disposing of F-gas equipment above charge thresholds.
DeadlinesOngoing leak checks; 2025 refrigerant bans; phase-down continuing
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency for breaches of leak-check, record and refrigerant rules.
How to evidence itLeak-check records at the right intervals, certified-technician records, and a refrigerant inventory.
Legal basisRetained Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 as it applies in GB, with the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015 for enforcement. Issued by Environment Agency / Defra.
Buildings and EPC
Minimum energy efficiency standards for the buildings you let and occupy.
MEESObligationCostRiskMinimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and EPC
What you must doMeet the minimum EPC standard (E now, with C proposed by 2027 and B by 2030 for commercial property); below-standard property can become unlettable.
Applies toLandlords and owners of let commercial and domestic property.
When it bitesOn letting or continuing to let property below the minimum EPC rating.
DeadlinesE now; C by 2027 and B by 2030 (proposed)
What is at stakeLocal-authority penalties for letting sub-standard property, plus the commercial risk of an unlettable asset.
How to evidence itA valid EPC at or above the standard, and a costed plan to reach the proposed tighter ratings.
Legal basisThe Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 and the EPC regime. Issued by UK Government (DESNZ) / local authorities.
Lift buildings to the standard while running cost and carbon fall, protecting the value and lettability of the asset.
Waste
Duty of care, packaging responsibility and workplace recycling.
Duty of careObligationRiskWaste duty of care, the waste hierarchy and hazardous waste
What you must doStore waste securely, transfer it only to authorised persons with the correct transfer or consignment notes, and apply the waste hierarchy of prevent, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose.
Applies toEffectively every commercial and industrial operator that produces, holds, carries or transfers controlled waste.
When it bitesContinuously, whenever waste is held or transferred; hazardous waste triggers extra duties.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeBreach of the duty of care is an offence with an unlimited fine on conviction.
How to evidence itWaste transfer and consignment notes, evidence the carrier and destination are authorised, and a record of how the hierarchy is applied.
Legal basisEnvironmental Protection Act 1990, s34; the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011; the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. Issued by Environment Agency / Defra.
pEPRObligationCostPackaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR)
What you must doRegister, report packaging data, and, for large producers, pay per-tonne fees covering the full net cost of managing household packaging waste.
Applies toObligated packaging producers above the turnover and tonnage thresholds, including many food, drink, retail and hospitality businesses.
When it bitesWhen a business meets the producer threshold for packaging placed on the UK market.
DeadlinesLive from 2025; first invoices from October 2025; reporting twice yearly for large producers
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency through civil sanctions and prosecution for failure to register, report or pay; there is no single published penalty figure.
How to evidence itRegistration, accurate packaging data returns, and fee payment on record.
Legal basisThe Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, under the Environment Act 2021. Issued by Defra / PackUK.
Simpler RecyclingObligationCostSimpler Recycling (workplace recycling reform, England)
What you must doSeparate food waste, dry mixed recycling and residual waste for collection; food waste cannot go through macerators or enzyme digesters.
Applies toAll workplaces in England, starting with those that have 10 or more employees.
When it bitesFrom 31 March 2025 for workplaces with 10 or more employees, and from 31 March 2027 for micro-firms.
Deadlines31 March 2025 (10 or more employees); 31 March 2027 (micro-firms)
What is at stakeEnforced by the Environment Agency through compliance notices, with failure to comply with a notice an offence; there is no single published penalty figure.
How to evidence itSeparate collection arrangements in place, with waste transfer documentation reflecting the streams.
Legal basisEnvironment Act 2021 waste reforms, implemented through duties on businesses under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Issued by Defra / Environment Agency.
Air quality and emissions
Local air quality, clean air zones, combustion emissions and ventilation.
LAQM / CAZObligationCostLocal air quality management and clean air zones
What you must doLocal authorities assess air quality and run action plans; operators and fleets in charging zones must pay charges or use compliant vehicles.
Applies toLocal authorities hold the primary duty; the regime reaches estates and fleets through clean air zone charges and air quality action plans.
When it bitesWhere pollutant levels exceed national objectives, and where a charging clean air zone applies to non-compliant vehicles.
DeadlinesOngoing (charging zones live in several English cities)
What is at stakeA daily charge for driving a non-compliant vehicle in a charging zone, set by each city, and a penalty charge notice, commonly GBP 120, if the charge is unpaid.
How to evidence itCompliant or charge-paid vehicles, and, for authorities, monitoring and an action-plan record.
Legal basisEnvironment Act 1995 Part IV and the Clean Air Act 1993, strengthened by the Environment Act 2021, with the Clean Air Zone framework. Issued by Local authorities / Defra.
HTM 03-01RiskObligationVentilation in healthcare premises (HTM 03-01)
What you must doDesign, validate and maintain ventilation systems to the standard, with annual verification, supporting infection control and patient safety.
Applies toHealthcare premises operating specialised ventilation such as theatres and isolation rooms.
When it bitesContinuously, for the design, validation and operation of healthcare ventilation.
DeadlinesOngoing (annual verification)
What is at stakeSits within CQC enforcement and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
How to evidence itAnnual ventilation verification reports, maintenance records, and a ventilation safety group where required.
Legal basisHealth Technical Memorandum 03-01, alongside the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and CQC requirements. Issued by NHS England / Department of Health and Social Care.
Support infection control and accreditation with cleaner air, and lower the energy ventilation costs to run.
Biodiversity and nature
Net gain and nutrient neutrality in development and land use.
BNGObligationCostBiodiversity Net Gain (10% BNG)
What you must doDeliver a minimum 10% measurable gain in biodiversity through on-site habitat, off-site units or statutory credits, secured and maintained for at least 30 years, with a Biodiversity Gain Plan.
Applies toDevelopers requiring planning permission in England, with limited exemptions for very small and certain householder works.
When it bitesOn most developments: from 12 February 2024 for major sites and 2 April 2024 for small sites.
DeadlinesMajor from 12 February 2024; small from 2 April 2024; 30-year maintenance
What is at stakeEnforced through the planning system: a non-compliant scheme can be refused, and breaches are handled by planning enforcement. There is no separate BNG penalty regime.
How to evidence itA metric-based Biodiversity Gain Plan, secured habitat or purchased units, and a 30-year management and monitoring commitment.
Legal basisEnvironment Act 2021 (Schedule 14, inserting Schedule 7A into the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) and the BNG Regulations 2024. Issued by Natural England / local planning authorities / Defra.
Nutrient neutralityObligationNutrient neutrality in protected catchments
What you must doDemonstrate the development is nutrient-neutral through on-site mitigation, nutrient credits, or a nature-restoration mechanism, before permission can be granted.
Applies toNew housing and overnight-accommodation development in catchments draining to protected habitats in unfavourable condition due to nitrogen or phosphorus.
When it bitesWhen development in an affected catchment could add nutrients to an already-damaged protected site.
DeadlinesOngoing (advice covering numerous catchments since 2019 and 2022)
What is at stakeNot a penalty regime: it is a planning gateway, with permission withheld until neutrality is shown.
How to evidence itA nutrient budget calculation and secured mitigation or credits accepted by the planning authority.
Legal basisConservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, applied through Natural England advice and the planning system. Issued by Natural England / local planning authorities / Defra.
Food safety
Food hygiene and potable water in processing.
852/2004ObligationRiskFood hygiene and potable water (Regulation (EC) 852/2004 and HACCP)
What you must doOperate a HACCP-based food-safety management system and ensure water in contact with food is potable and hygiene is controlled.
Applies toFood and drink processors and any operation where water and hygiene affect food safety.
When it bitesContinuously, across processing, cleaning and the water used in production.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeEnforced by local authorities and the Food Standards Agency, up to prohibition and prosecution.
How to evidence itA documented HACCP plan, potable-water testing, cleaning validation, and traceable records.
Legal basisRegulation (EC) 852/2004 (retained UK law) and HACCP-based food-safety management. Issued by Food Standards Agency / local authorities.
Protect food safety and uptime, with water and hygiene control that holds without adding cost.
Infection prevention and hand hygiene
Hand hygiene, IPC and the safe-product duties for wards, custody, care and schools.
Hygiene CodeObligationRiskHealth and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections (the Hygiene Code)
What you must doEvidence compliance with the IPC registration requirement across the Code's criteria, including hand hygiene and the provision of suitable hand-hygiene products.
Applies toRegistered health and adult social care providers, including hospitals, mental-health trusts and care homes.
When it bitesContinuously; CQC takes the Code into account when judging registration against Regulation 12.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous compliance)
What is at stakeSits within CQC enforcement: failure against the Code can contribute to a breach of Regulation 12 and registration action.
How to evidence itAn IPC policy and assurance framework, hand-hygiene provision and audit, and outbreak processes mapped to the Code's criteria.
Legal basisHealth and Social Care Act 2008, section 21, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections. Issued by Department of Health and Social Care (CQC judges providers against it).
Keep safe, effective hand hygiene available where care happens, with the evidence the Code and CQC expect.
CQC Reg 12RiskObligationCQC Regulation 12: safe care and treatment (infection prevention and control)
What you must doAssess the risk of, and prevent, detect and control the spread of, infections including healthcare-associated infection. Breach can trigger enforcement.
Applies toCQC-registered providers, including mental-health trusts, hospitals and adult social care services.
When it bitesContinuously; CQC monitors IPC indicators and runs risk-based inspections.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeEnforcement action up to conditions on, or cancellation of, registration.
How to evidence itA current IPC risk assessment, hand-hygiene audit, outbreak records and a clear product-safety rationale.
Legal basisHealth and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Regulation 12. Issued by Care Quality Commission.
Turn a continuous IPC duty into a defensible file, with safe hand hygiene available and evidenced.
CQC IPC (ASC)ObligationRiskCQC infection prevention and control assessment for adult social care (with Regulation 15 premises)
What you must doMaintain a designated IPC lead, current-guidance knowledge, clean and suitable premises and equipment, and outbreak notification and response.
Applies toCare homes, supported living and domiciliary care providers.
When it bitesContinuously; IPC is a standalone area of CQC scrutiny in care since COVID-19.
DeadlinesOngoing
What is at stakeSits within CQC enforcement and the rating that follows; a poor IPC finding affects the published rating.
How to evidence itA named IPC lead, audit evidence, premises and equipment records, and outbreak processes auditable across every home.
Legal basisHSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Regulations 12 and 15, applied through the CQC single assessment framework. Issued by Care Quality Commission.
Standardise safe, auditable hand hygiene across every home, ready for inspection.
epic3 / QS61ObligationRiskHand decontamination standard (epic3 guidelines and NICE Quality Standard 61)
What you must doMake hand hygiene available at the point of care, and use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or when caring for patients with vomiting or diarrhoeal illness.
Applies toHealthcare providers, including mental-health inpatient settings, audited on hand-hygiene practice.
When it bitesContinuously, as the national hand-hygiene standard providers are audited against.
DeadlinesOngoing
What is at stakeNot a fining regime; falling below the standard surfaces in CQC IPC findings and audit.
How to evidence itPoint-of-care hand-hygiene provision, audit compliance, and a policy that retains soap and water for the cases it requires.
Legal basisepic3 National Evidence-Based Guidelines (NICE-accredited) and NICE Quality Standard 61. Issued by Journal of Hospital Infection (epic3) / NICE.
Keep compliant hand hygiene at the point of care, even where alcohol gel is unsafe, without displacing soap and water.
Secured gel (PLACE)RiskObligationNHS England secured alcohol-gel storage requirement (PLACE)
What you must doStore alcohol-based hand gel securely and assess the ingestion risk; the PLACE audit was updated to require secured storage.
Applies toMental-health and other settings caring for patients at risk of ingesting alcohol-based hand gel.
When it bitesWhere confused, withdrawing or at-risk patients could access alcohol-based hand gel.
DeadlinesIn force (updated 2022 to 2023)
What is at stakeAssessed through PLACE and CQC IPC scrutiny; a serious incident or Prevention of Future Deaths report is the sharper risk.
How to evidence itSecured-storage arrangements, a documented ingestion-risk assessment, and a safe alternative where gel is removed from open access.
Legal basisNHS England IPC guidance and the PLACE assessment, following recorded ingestion harm. Issued by NHS England Infection Prevention and Control team.
Keep hand hygiene at the point of care without a securable, ingestible product, removing the hazard the audit targets.
COSHH / DSEARRiskObligationFlammable-substance duties for alcohol hand rub (COSHH 2002 and DSEAR 2002)
What you must doRisk-assess the flammable and hazardous-substance exposure and control siting and storage; an alcohol-free, non-flammable product removes the substance from the assessment.
Applies toSettings storing and siting alcohol-based hand rub, a flammable liquid, especially secure and supervised environments.
When it bitesOn storing or wall-mounting alcohol-based hand rub near ignition sources or in fire- and self-harm-sensitive areas.
DeadlinesOngoing
What is at stakeEnforced under the Health and Safety at Work Act and these regulations, with civil sanctions and prosecution.
How to evidence itCOSHH and DSEAR assessments, controlled storage and siting, or removal of the flammable substance altogether.
Legal basisControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Issued by Health and Safety Executive.
Take a flammable liquid out of a secure or supervised estate and simplify the COSHH and DSEAR position.
EquivalenceObligationRiskEquivalence of care (health and justice commissioning principle)
What you must doProvide infection control and hand hygiene at least equivalent to the community standard, despite the restriction of alcohol-based products in custody.
Applies toPrisons, secure settings and their commissioned healthcare providers.
When it bitesContinuously; healthcare for detained people must be at least consistent with that in the wider community.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeAssessed through CQC and HMIP inspection rather than fines; an equivalence gap is a primary inspection criticism.
How to evidence itHand-hygiene provision that does not fall below community standard, even where alcohol products are restricted.
Legal basisNHS England Health and Justice commissioning principle of equivalence of care. Issued by NHS England Health and Justice.
Close the hand-hygiene gap the restriction leaves, meeting the equivalence duty inside the wing.
UKHSA prisons IPCObligationRiskUKHSA infection prevention and control guidelines for adult prisons
What you must doFollow the operational IPC guidance, including the restriction of wall-mounted alcohol hand rub on ingestion and unintended-use grounds, and manage outbreaks from two linked cases in five days.
Applies toAdult prisons and secure settings and their healthcare and operational teams.
When it bitesContinuously, covering hand hygiene, outbreak thresholds and the restriction of wall-mounted alcohol hand rub.
DeadlinesOngoing
What is at stakeAssessed through CQC and HMIP inspection and outbreak escalation rather than fines.
How to evidence itHand-hygiene provision consistent with the guidance, outbreak plans, and a safe alternative where alcohol rub is restricted.
Legal basisUKHSA infection prevention and control guidelines for adult prisons and management of outbreaks in secure settings. Issued by UK Health Security Agency.
Provide hand hygiene the guidance allows in restricted areas, closing the gap its own restriction creates.
CQC / HMIPObligationRiskCQC and HMIP inspection of secure-setting healthcare
What you must doDemonstrate safe, equivalent healthcare including infection control; critical findings and Urgent Notifications carry reputational and political weight.
Applies toHealthcare services in prisons, YOIs and immigration removal centres.
When it bitesOn the inspection cycle; CQC and HMIP inspect jointly against community-equivalent care.
DeadlinesOngoing (inspection cycle)
What is at stakeEnforcement and registration action from CQC, and Urgent Notifications from HMIP.
How to evidence itIndependently tested evidence and a clear safety rationale for the hand-hygiene products in use across the estate.
Legal basisCQC registration of secure-setting healthcare and HM Inspectorate of Prisons healthy-establishment inspection. Issued by Care Quality Commission / HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
Carry independently tested evidence into a joint inspection judging healthcare on community equivalence.
COSHH / RIDDORObligationRiskOccupational hand dermatitis duty (COSHH 2002 and RIDDOR 2013)
What you must doRisk-assess skin irritants, apply controls, and provide health surveillance; doctor-diagnosed occupational dermatitis from regular exposure is RIDDOR-reportable.
Applies toEmployers whose staff perform frequent hand hygiene and wet work, including care and health workers.
When it bitesWhere frequent hand-hygiene product use and wet work create a skin-irritant exposure.
DeadlinesOngoing
What is at stakeEnforced by the HSE; reportable cases and claims carry cost and liability.
How to evidence itA COSHH skin risk assessment, a skin-kind product choice, and health surveillance records.
Legal basisControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (including Regulation 11 health surveillance) and RIDDOR 2013. Issued by Health and Safety Executive.
Ease the carer dermatitis exposure with hand hygiene kind enough for dozens of uses a day.
SICPsObligationRiskStandard Infection Control Precautions and hand hygiene (UKHSA and NHS England)
What you must doApply standard precautions including hand hygiene, ensuring access to liquid soap, warm water and paper towels; any product must complement, not override, SICPs.
Applies toHealth and social care settings applying standard infection control precautions.
When it bitesContinuously; for norovirus and gastrointestinal infection, soap and water is required rather than alcohol gel.
DeadlinesOngoing
What is at stakeAssessed through CQC IPC scrutiny rather than direct fines.
How to evidence itHand-hygiene facilities and products consistent with SICPs, with soap and water retained for outbreaks.
Legal basisNHS England National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (SICPs) and UKHSA guidance. Issued by UK Health Security Agency / NHS England.
Strengthen everyday hand hygiene while keeping soap and water for the outbreaks SICPs reserve it for.
Schools H&S / COSHHObligationHealth and safety and COSHH duties for schools (HSW Act 1974 and COSHH 2002)
What you must doAssess and control health and safety risks, including the flammable and ingestion hazard of alcohol sanitiser; an alcohol-free product removes that hazard from the assessment.
Applies toSchools and their employers (the local authority, trust or proprietor), for staff, pupils and visitors.
When it bitesContinuously; alcohol hand sanitiser is a flammable, irritant substance that falls within COSHH and must be risk-assessed.
DeadlinesOngoing (continuous duty)
What is at stakeEnforced under the Health and Safety at Work Act with improvement and prohibition notices and prosecution.
How to evidence itRecorded COSHH and risk assessments, and a hand product whose safety profile simplifies the file and the fire-risk register.
Legal basisHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and COSHH 2002, with DfE guidance for schools. Issued by Health and Safety Executive / Department for Education.
Take a flammable, ingestible product out of the COSHH file and the fire-risk register across the estate.
UKHSA educationObligationCostUKHSA health protection in education and childcare settings
What you must doProvide liquid soap, warm water and paper towels, and use hand sanitiser only when hands are not visibly dirty; rely on soap and water against norovirus.
Applies toSchools, nurseries and childcare settings.
When it bitesContinuously; hand hygiene is a primary infection-control measure and alcohol gel is explicitly not effective against norovirus.
DeadlinesOngoing (guidance)
What is at stakeNot a fining regime; followed alongside the statutory health-and-safety and safeguarding duties.
How to evidence itHand-hygiene facilities and a product approach consistent with the guidance, including cover for the norovirus gap alcohol leaves.
Legal basisUKHSA guidance 'Health protection in children and young people's settings, including education'. Issued by UK Health Security Agency.
Cover the norovirus gap alcohol gel leaves, the pathogen that most often closes classrooms.
KCSIE / EYFSObligationChild welfare and safeguarding frameworks (KCSIE 2024 and the EYFS)
What you must doHave regard to safeguarding and child welfare, including promoting good health and providing hygienic facilities; a child-safe hygiene choice supports the duty.
Applies toSchools, colleges and early-years and childcare providers.
When it bitesContinuously; both frameworks set the duty to safeguard and promote children's welfare and health.
DeadlinesKCSIE in force 1 September 2024; EYFS ongoing
What is at stakeAssessed through Ofsted and the statutory frameworks rather than direct fines.
How to evidence itA defensible, child-safe product choice recorded in safeguarding and health risk assessments.
Legal basisKeeping Children Safe in Education 2024 and the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework. Issued by Department for Education.
Make a defensible, child-safe hand-hygiene choice for early years and SEND, free of flammable and ingestible hazard.
GB BPR PT1ObligationGB Biocidal Products Regulation, PT1 human-hygiene product authorisation
What you must doUse only hand-hygiene products lawfully placed on the GB market under the biocidal products regime, and confirm authorisation before procurement.
Applies toAnyone placing a hand sanitiser on the GB market, across health, care, custody and education buyers specifying one.
When it bitesBefore a hand sanitiser is supplied for sale in GB; the product must be authorised and its active sourced from a listed supplier.
DeadlinesPre-market (authorisation precedes lawful sale)
What is at stakeEnforced by the HSE; placing an unauthorised biocidal product on the market is an offence.
How to evidence itConfirmation that the product is authorised, or covered by the applicable route, before purchase.
Legal basisGB Biocidal Products Regulation; hand sanitisers are Product Type 1 (human hygiene) biocidal products. Issued by Health and Safety Executive (GB competent authority).
We assess your setting and the route to a lawful, evidenced hand-hygiene option, with no claim ahead of authorisation.
Accreditation and infection control
Healthcare accreditation, antimicrobial resistance and investment-grade standards.
AMR NAPObligationRiskAntimicrobial resistance (UK 5-year National Action Plan 2024 to 2029)
What you must doStrengthen infection prevention and control to help prevent the rise of resistant infections and reduce antibiotic use, with environmental and waterborne risk a recognised factor.
Applies toHealthcare providers, with infection prevention and control central to delivery.
When it bitesAcross care settings, against national targets to 2029.
Deadlines2029 (national plan horizon)
What is at stakeDelivered through NHS performance and CQC expectations rather than direct fines.
How to evidence itInfection-control performance data, surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, and environmental and water-safety controls.
Legal basisUK 5-year AMR National Action Plan 2024 to 2029, delivered through NHS and infection prevention and control requirements. Issued by UK Government / NHS England.
Reduce infection and waterborne risk across the estate, supporting the infection-control outcomes the plan demands.
JCI / IFCObligationInternational accreditation and finance standards (JCI and IFC Performance Standards)
What you must doMeet the quality, environmental and social conditions that accreditation and finance require, including pollution prevention and community health and safety.
Applies toHealthcare and infrastructure projects in emerging markets seeking accreditation or development finance.
When it bitesOn accreditation cycles, and as conditions of development finance.
DeadlinesAccreditation cycles; conditions of financing
What is at stakeLoss of accreditation or finance conditions rather than statutory fines.
How to evidence itAccreditation assessments, environmental and social management plans, and monitored performance against the standards.
Legal basisJoint Commission International accreditation standards and the IFC Performance Standards (notably PS3 on pollution and PS4 on community health and safety). Issued by Joint Commission International / International Finance Corporation.
Build investable, accreditation-ready infrastructure on reliable water, sanitation and power.
LA net zeroObligationCostLocal authority net zero and procurement social value
What you must doDecarbonise the estate toward net zero and embed social value in procurement, now that principal decarbonisation funding has closed to new bids.
Applies toLocal authorities and their suppliers across public buildings and services.
When it bitesAgainst typically 2030 net-zero estate targets, and in how public contracts are scored.
DeadlinesTypically 2030 (net zero); ongoing (procurement)
What is at stakePolitically binding rather than fined; delivery is scrutinised publicly and through audit.
How to evidence itA costed decarbonisation plan, measured progress, and social value delivered through contracts.
Legal basisLocal climate-emergency declarations and net-zero estate targets, with social-value duties under the Procurement Act 2023. Issued by Local authorities / UK Government.
Move the estate toward net zero with compliant assets, funded by the savings they deliver.
CNIRiskObligationCritical National Infrastructure designation (data centres)
What you must doMeet heightened resilience and incident-mitigation expectations, where the cost of an availability failure is higher than ever.
Applies toData centre operators whose availability is treated as nationally critical.
When it bitesOn designated infrastructure, raising resilience and incident-mitigation expectations.
DeadlinesIn force (designated 2024)
What is at stakeReputational and operational consequences of resilience failure, alongside other applicable duties.
How to evidence itResilience plans, tested incident response, and assured continuity of critical systems including cooling.
Legal basisCritical National Infrastructure designation for data centres (September 2024). Issued by DSIT / Cabinet Office.
Harden the resilience of critical cooling and water systems without trading away efficiency or uptime.
By your sector
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Questions answered
Frequently asked
What environmental compliance applies to the built environment?
The main UK duties cover water safety (Legionella under ACoP L8 and HSG274), discharges to sewer (trade effluent consent under the Water Industry Act 1991), environmental permits, energy and carbon reporting (SECR, ESOS), and building energy standards (MEES and EPC). The right set depends on your sector and assets.
Are these guides a substitute for legal or compliance advice?
No. They are accurate, sourced explainers to help you understand your duties and where you stand. They do not replace a competent assessment or formal legal advice, and your actual obligations depend on your specific sites and activities.
How do the free tools relate to these guides?
Each guide links to a free tool that turns the duty into your own numbers: a water safety risk scorecard for Legionella, a trade effluent bill estimator, and a cooling tower water and cost calculator. The guide explains the rule; the tool sizes it for your site.
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