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Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) (‘Part IIA’), which came into force in July 2000, provides the legislative framework for the identification and remediation of contaminated land. The legislation introduced a statutory definition of contaminated land and is aimed at addressing land which has been historically contaminated and which poses unacceptable risks to human health or the wider environment in the context of the current land use. Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) (‘Part IIA’), which came into force in July 2000, provides the legislative framework for the identification and remediation of contaminated land. The legislation introduced a statutory definition of contaminated land and is aimed at addressing land which has been historically contaminated and which poses unacceptable risks to human health or

Part IIA introduces a number of technical concepts and some key concepts are considered in this section. A number of methods and models are available to assist in the derivation of site specific assessment criteria, as highlighted in the other "technical concepts and tools" sections Part II A introduces a number of technical concepts and some key concepts are considered in this section. A number of methods and models are available to assist in the derivation of site specific assessment criteria, as highlighted in the other 'technical concepts and tools' sections. Site specific risk assessment A risk assessment represents the structured gathering of information in order to for

Through its ability to filter and retain nutrients, land helps to protect air and water quality, support habitats and enhance biodiversity. Healthy, well-managed land also plays an important part in flood risk management. We are transitioning to a new website, and some content from this section is now on our Beta site.   Land quality – defined by its ability to sustain and fulfil a variety of uses – is vital to health and wellbeing. Through its ability to filter and retain nutrients, land helps to protect air and water quality, support habitats and enhance biodiversity. Healthy, well-managed land also plays an

There are a number of significant environmental problems caused by a number of pressures, including diffuse and point source pollution, alterations to beds, banks and shores, alterations to water levels and flows and the presence of invasive non-native species. In order to measure these pressures and their potential effects, we use an aquatic classification system which covers rivers, lochs, estuaries, coastal and groundwater bodies. These are split into management units called water bodies, with a classification produced for each body (the number of water bodies between years varies slightly, as some water body boundaries are reviewed to ensure that they can be managed appropriately). We produce an annual Water Framework Directive (WFD) Classification for all the water bodies in Scotland. Classification results for 2007 to the current year can be found on the Water Classification Hub. Read the State of Scotland's Water Environment 2024 summary report (MS Word, 1.17 MB). Most of our water environment is already in a good condition and subject to fewer pressures than most other E

To make this section of our website easier to use, we have broken down the questions most commonly asked of us into two sections: Section A gives an introduction to the regulations and how they are enforced and may be of use to smaller businesses and contractors. Section B goes into more detail and describes definitions, concepts and processes and is a useful resource for consultants, regulators and larger businesses and contractors. It also gives more information about how the regulations differ between Scotland and England. To make this section of our website easier to use, we have broken down the questions most commonly asked of us into two sections: Section A gives an introduction to the regulations and how they are enforced and may be of use to smaller businesses and contractors. Section B goes into more detail and describes definitions, concepts and processes and is a useful resource for consultants, regulators a

We regulate the storage, use and disposal of all radioactive substances, including those from the non-nuclear industry. Organisations that use radioactive substances, but are not part of the nuclear industry, are collectively known as the non-nuclear industry. Non-nuclear industries We regulate the management of radioactive substances, including those from the non-nuclear industry. This page provides information on the regulation of the non-nuclear industry. What is the non-nuclear industry? Industries that use radioactive substances, but are not part of the nuclear industry, are collectively known as the non-nuclear industry. The non-nuclear industry i

Any remediation activity to address land contamination should be designed and planned so risks can be managed appropriately. It is commonly thought that remediation can only result in an environmental improvement. However, while the remediation of chemically contaminated land and the associated water environment is carried out with improvement in mind, the remedial activity itself has the potential to adversely affect human health or the Any remediation activity to address land contamination should be designed and planned so risks can be managed appropriately. It is commonly thought that remediation can only result in an environmental improvement. However, while the remediation of chemically contaminated land and the associated water environment is carried out with improvement in mind, the remedial activity itself has the potentia

The management and remediation of contaminated land that, in its current state, is causing or has the potential to cause significant harm or significant pollution of the water environment, is regulated by legislation contained within the Environmental Protection Act (1990) known as Part IIA. We have certain responsibilities within the scope of this legislation to regulate activities and assist in the management and remediation of contaminated land. Contaminated land can present significant threats to the environment and risks to users of the land. Land can become contaminated by a variety of substances, from heavy metals to agricultural waste. The environmental, financial and legal implications of this can be substantial. The management and remediation of contaminated land that, in its current state, is causing or has the potential to cause

Overview of PPC regulations, how they are applied and available guidance. We are transitioning to a new website and authorisation process and the information on this webpage is not up to date. Please go to our Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulation (EASR) webpage to find information on applying for Industrial activities authorisations. The following pages can also be found on our Topics page: Best Available Techniques (BAT) for industrial activitie

A special site is contaminated land which meets one of the descriptions in the regulations: for example, land on which a process subject to Integrated Pollution Control is, or has been, operated. Special sites do not necessarily represent the most heavily contaminated land: special site designation is the responsibility of local authorities, who are required to seek advice from us. As part of the requirements of Part IIA, we are obliged to maintain a public register containing details of special sites. Public registers of land identified as statutorily contaminated are maintained by local authorities, who should be contacted for information on contaminated land other than special sites. A special site is contaminated land which meets one of the descriptions in the regulation