Cyber-Attack: Our Response and Service Status

PPC Part B activities

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.

Service status update 26 February 2021: Permitting

What are we able to do now?

What should you do now?

  • Please do not submit any applications at this time and check regular updates.
  • Contact us if your authorisation is required urgently within the next three weeks.

Next update: 5 March 2021

PPC Part B activities

Please do not submit any applications at this time and check regular updates. We are not currently able to receive, verify or determine applications for PPC Part A & B. 

If you intend applying for a Part B permit or hold a permit already, this section will guide you through your obligations.

Part B activities are those listed under Part B within Schedule 1 of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (PPC2012).

These are generally smaller industrial activities and operators of Part B activities require a PPC permit in order to be able to undertake their activity. Permits issued to Part B operators permit discharges to air only.

Before you make any application – whether for a new permit, variation, transfer or surrender – you should:

  • check that you are required to make an application and understand the requirements of the legislation;
  • read through the relevant application form(s) and its associated technical guidance documents.

How do I make a new application?

Please do not submit any applications at this time and check regular updates. We are not currently able to receive, verify or determine applications for PPC Part A & B. 

Before making any application for a Part B PPC permit, it is strongly recommended that you contact us to discuss your application. These discussions will help inform you about the permitting process, the types of information you will have to provide and the types of controls that will be included in your permit.

You must ensure you have a permit before your activity commences and comply with all the requirements of PPC 2012 when your permit is issued.

If you intend to submit an application for a permit for an activity described in Schedule 1, you must complete the relevant application forms for a permit.

New applications are subject to charges.

How do I vary, transfer or surrender an existing permit?

Please do not submit any applications at this time and check regular updates. We are not currently able to receive, verify or determine applications for PPC Part A & B. 

To vary, transfer or surrender a permit, please complete the relevant application forms found on our webpage:

Once completed, please return your form to the registrar at the appropriate area office, as stated on the application form, along with the relevant fee .

How long does it take to process an application?

Please do not submit any applications at this time and check regular updates. We are not currently able to receive, verify or determine applications for PPC Part A & B. 

The regulations set down statutory periods following receipt of an application, within which we will normally reach a decision:

  • New permit applications – four months.
  • An application for a variation – four months if consultation is undertaken under the terms of the regulations and three months in other cases.
  • An application for a transfer – two months.
  • An application for surrender – three months.

Permit reviews

A periodic review of your permit will take place and any new conditions will be based on conditions including relevant technical guidance and general principles of BAT described in schedule 3 of the PPC 2012 regulations.

We will contact permit holders before any review takes place.

Guidance and application forms

Further relevant information on Part B of PPC 2012 is available within our guidance and application forms page.

Contact us

For more information about any aspect of Part B of PPC 2012, please contact us.