Do I need an authorisation?
Service status
A sophisticated criminal cyber-attack has had a major impact on the way SEPA works. We are working through all the services that we provide to understand what we need to do in the short and longer term to restore services. We are approaching this work with a sense of urgency.
- Check the service status
- Approach to Delivery of Services Until June 2021
- Information about the cyber-attack
Service status update 6 May 2021: Permitting
What are we able to do now?
Please see below for the services we are now running in relation to:
- Existing private sewage treatment systems (septic tanks);
- Complex Waste Management Exemptions;
- Applications under Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR) and the Radioactive Substances Act 1993;
- Waste Carrier Licences;
- Marine and freshwater pen fish farm authorisations;
- Water Engineering authorisations;
- Construction Site Licenses (run-off permits);
- PPC Part B authorisations;
- Trans-frontier Shipment of Waste.
We are working hard to re-establish the ability to receive, verify and determine applications for Waste Management Licences, Controlled Activities in the Water Environment which are not listed above, and PPC Part A. For now, we remain unable to undertake this work.
What should you do now?
We are only able to accept applications listed below; please do not submit any other type of application at this time and check regular updates.
Contact us if you had submitted an application prior to 24 December 2020 and have not yet received an update on your application.
Next update: 14 May 2021
Do I need an authorisation?
Some activities carried out by business or industry can, potentially, be harmful to environment.
As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, we issue a range of authorisations designed to control activities that could lead to pollution or environmental damage.
This section of our website will help you find out if your activity requires a licence or other authorisation.
- Do I need any authorisation?
- How do I find out what authorisation my activity requires?
- Non-licenced and exempt activities
Do I need any authorisation?
Authorisations are managed and regulated according to the nature of your activity.
You must contact us ito discuss your activity before preparing and submitting any application.
How do I find out what authorisation my activity requires?
What does your proposed activity involve?
Non-licenced and exempt activities
There are a number of activities that do not require formal authorisation, however they can and often do require prior approval.
These activities include:
- SSAFO (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) structure approval
- Herbicide application approvals
- Professional collector and transporter of waste
- Hazardous waste consignment
- Transfrontier shipment of waste (TFS)
We strongly advise that you contact us before undertaking any of these activities.
We can advise you and help you acquire approval, as well as undertake inspections or checks to ensure that your arrangements are in order before you start your activity.