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The regulation and legislation of radioactive substances (RSA) in Scotland. Environmental authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 What are we able to do? We can now accept: Applications for an EASR18 authorisation (please contact SEPA). Online notifications EASR18 for orphan source or managed radioactive substances (only IAEA category 5 that: exceed 200 kBq; tritium sources exceeding 20 GBq; and electrodeposited source. Radioactive substances in IAEA category 4 and ab

We're in the process of moving to our Beta website and information on applying for authorisations is now also available there in a new radioactive substances section. Use the back button in your browser to return to this page. Links to our forms and guidance will remain here for a period of time to support the transition.   Notifications If you wish to notify SEPA of certain lower risk r

The SEPA Marine National Environmental Monitoring Buoy Network provides real time, high frequency environmental data from strategic locations around the coast, as part of SEPA obligations to monitoring the marine environment. What is being monitored? Continuous monitoring equipment gathers dissolved oxygen, water temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a data at regular intervals. The data is stored

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

nuclear industry We regulate the management of radioactive substances, including those from the nuclear industry. This page provides information on the regulation of the nuclear industry. What is the nuclear industry? The nuclear industry includes power stations that generate electricity from a nuclear reactor, nuclear sites undergoing decommissioning and some defence activities. How do we regulate the nuclear ind

Further technical guidance This page brings together a number of ancillary guidance documents and previous email bulletin information relating to modelling of marine fish-farms for CAR licence applications. Auxiliary biomass sampling transect In areas where the tidal residual current is weak, the auxiliary transect (site-specific sampling 2) may be aligned along a bearing reciprocal to the primary

Legislation directs SEPA to assess and classify each shellfish protected area. To deliver this we work closely with Food Standards Scotland (FSS). FSS sample, analyse and report water quality in production areas throughout the year to ensure shellfish are safe for consumption, or determine if they require further treatment. At the end of each year FSS provide SEPA with this data who use it to clas

What is an elevated building? A building where structures such as pillars or stilts are used to raise it above the expected flood water level. The ground below the building remains at risk of flooding and allows for the free flow of water. Context for this position statement This position statement constitutes part of ‘relevant SEPA advice’ as referred to in criterion a) iv of the National Plannin

Waste from all sources Discover Data toolLast updated: 15th July 2025 Household Waste Discover Data toolLast updated: 28th October 2025 This page presents data and information on the types and quantities of waste generated and managed across Scotland. The Scotland’s Environment Waste Discover Data tool presents waste from all sources, i.e. from households, the construction and demolition sector, a

The majority of dams will require an authorisation from SEPA under "The Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations 2011 (CAR). This authorisation number will start CAR/.../... If you don't have a CAR authorisation for your dam, then you should contact your local SEPA team to discuss this. You can find more advice on impoundments and water resources authorisations on our Enviro