From 1 July 2025, the Environment Agency (EA) has implemented a new charging regime for waste exemptions in England. These changes are part of a broader effort to modernise environmental regulation, improve oversight, and ensure cost recovery for services provided by the EA.
Key changes at a glance
- Registration fee: A new £56 charge will apply every three years for registering waste exemptions. This fee supports the development of a digital registration system, customer support services, and periodic inspections.
- Compliance charges: Additional charges will apply depending on the type of exemption registered. These are designed to reflect the regulatory effort required for oversight.
- Charitable exemptions: Operators registering exemptions exclusively for charitable purposes will be exempt from these charges.
Implications for the agricultural sector
The EA has introduced two new waste exemptions to the ‘common on-farm’ list:
- T29 – Treatment of non-hazardous pesticide washings using carbon filtration
- T32 – Treatment of pesticide washings in a biobed or biofilter
These additions follow a consultation on proportionate compliance charges for common on-farm activities, aiming to balance environmental protection with practical farming needs.
Increased hourly rates for specialist services
The EA has also revised its hourly rates for certain services, including:
- Work related to the nuclear sector
- Planning advice
- Incident response for pollution and accident hazards
- Voluntary services, such as the new remediation service and waste classification advice
Some of these services remain discretionary and are only charged where the customer opts in.
What this means for businesses
Businesses operating under waste exemptions should review their current registrations and prepare for the new fee structure. Compliance officers should ensure that all relevant exemptions are up to date and that budgeting accounts for these new charges.
For further details, visit the official EA guidance or contact the environmental team at Mills & Reeve.
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