There are a number of organisations that are responsible for protecting and improving Scotland’s environment and SEPA works in partnership with many of them to ensure that we take a joined-up approach to this work.
The different organisations all have different areas of responsibility so, to assist you, we have put together a basic guide to what each organisation does. This is not intended as a detailed breakdown of legal duties.
For more information, please contact the relevant organisation. If you want to know more about SEPA's role, contact your local office.
Organisation | Responsibilities |
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Your local police |
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Scottish Canals |
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Crown Estate Scotland |
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Drinking Water Quality Regulator |
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Environment and Heritage Service |
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Environment Agency |
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Fish Health Inspectorate (part of Fisheries Research Service) |
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Food Standards Scotland |
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Health and Safety Executive |
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Historic Environment Scotland |
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Marine Coastguard Agency |
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Natural Resources Wales |
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Scottish Government |
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Scottish Natural Heritage |
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Scottish Water |
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National Grid |
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UK Government |
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Responsibilities | Organisations |
Abandoned vehicles | |
Air pollution from vehicles, household areas (eg bonfires), small businesses and small industries | |
Aquaculture |
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Beaches and bathing water |
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Built environment | |
Canals | |
Coastal pollution |
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Coastal protection | |
Conservation (including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, etc) | |
Contaminated land |
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Dog fouling and noise | |
Drinking water |
|
Environmental issues in Northern Ireland | |
Environmental issues in England and Wales | |
Environmental health and food hygeine | |
Flooding |
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Fly-tipping |
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Food safety | |
Gas leaks | |
Genetically modified organisms | |
Government policy and legislation affecting the environment (England and Wales) | |
Government policy and legislation affecting the environment (Scotland) | |
Harbour pollution |
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Light pollution | |
Litter (except when relating to fly-tipping) | |
National Parks | |
Noise |
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Offshore oil and gas industry (except radioactivity) | |
Ozone depleting substances | |
Pest control | |
Planning permission | |
Radioactivity |
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Road obstructions | |
Safety at major industrial sites (COMAH - Control of Major Accident Hazards) |
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Septic tanks |
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Sewage - disposing of | |
Sewage treatment - regulating |
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Shipping | |
Smoke and smell problems |
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Sustainable development | |
Waste |
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Water |
See separate listings above for:
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