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Information on how to apply for, vary or modify an authorisation online or by post. It is important that SEPA's authorisations are kept up to date and therefore accurately reflect the activities that they cover. There are a wide range of reasons why an authorisation may require updating by variation. Operator initiated variations For charging fee purposes, we categorise an application for variation of an authorisation, which is initiated by the authorisation holder, into one of t

SEPA, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Food Standards Agency (FSA), Public Health England (PHE), Scottish Government and Fife Council have observer status on the Group, which permits them to provide information to members during meetings and inform DBPAG of their current work. Membership will be reviewed periodically to ensure that the group has a sufficient diversity of skills to address the issues

Drinks producers and retailers will play an important role in Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). If you make, import, buy or sell drinks in Scotland you may have legal responsibilities (obligations) under The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020. This web page provides information and guidance on producer and retailer obligations and what you need to do to comply with the Regulations. Scotland is introducing a deposit return scheme (DRS) which is expected to launch in October 2027. This means when you buy a drink in a single-use container you will pay a deposit, which you get back when you return your empty bottle or can. SEPA is the regulator for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. We will work with producers, retailers, return point operators and the scheme administrator to hel

Aquaculture is the growing of finfish and shellfish. In Scotland, this primarily involves the farming of: salmon and rainbow trout held in sea pens salmon and trout in freshwater pens and shellfish (oysters and mussels) on rafts and lines in the sea As one of a number of organisations regulating finfish aquaculture, SEPA's job is to protect the marine environment for the people of Scotland. We d

Dredging, or sediment management, is the removal of sediment from a river channel. Rivers naturally change shape and direction through time. They move sediment, comprising of silt, sand, gravel, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders, when there is high flow. The amount of sediment moved will normally increase during and after large floods, often resulting in significant changes in rivers. Climate change

Position statements These set out our approach to particular issues that arise during the regulatory process: WAT-PS-06-08: Policy and supporting guidance on provision of waste water drainage in settlements WAT-PS-10-01: Assigning groundwater assessment criteria for pollutant inputs WAT-PS-10-02: Assigning groundwater assessment criteria for pollutant inputs This applies from 1 February 2025 Gui

SEPA Flood maps: Acceptance of Terms and Conditions By selecting ACCEPT you, as a member of the public or as an internal business user, agree that you have read, understood and will be bound by the Terms and Conditions provided below. If you find any of these Terms and Conditions unacceptable, you must not use the flood maps in any way and should select DECLINE. Terms and Conditions Ownership:All

Controlled Reservoirs Register - Terms and conditions of use AcceptanceTo view the Controlled Reservoirs Register for Scotland you must agree to and acknowledge that you are bound by the terms and conditions of use. If you find any of these terms and conditions unacceptable, you must not use the Controlled Reservoirs Register in any way and should select decline. OwnershipAll intellectual property

SEPA, as one of a number of organisations regulating finfish aquaculture, is implementing a revised regulatory framework based on that will strengthen the protection of the marine environment for the people of Scotland. The framework follows months of work by colleagues across the agency, a 2017 consultation and two Scottish Parliamentary committees. The evidenced-based features of the regulatory

Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS, or sustainable urban* drainage systems are a sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water in a manner that will provide a more sustainable approach than what has been the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse. * The use of the word 'urban' is frequently omitted, but the meaning is s