Have your say on how business environmental performance is reported in Scotland
Date published: 31 March 2025
SEPA are launching a consultation on a proposed Environmental Performance Assessment Scheme (EPAS) - a fair way of reporting on how businesses are meeting their responsibilities.
Scotland’s environment is a vital resource for all of us, and the people of Scotland need to be confident that regulated businesses are achieving good environmental performance and our environment is protected from pollution and harm. Compliance with environmental laws is the minimum that businesses should be seeking to achieve. While SEPA will always use regulatory powers to secure compliance, EPAS will provide greater transparency for the public and provide an additional incentive.
EPAS is designed to consider more than just compliance. It also takes account of the severity any environmental harm caused, and how long it takes an operator to resolve a non-compliance.
Providing useful information on a continuous basis
EPAS will provide real-time updates on business environmental performance, replacing outdated annual assessments. The majority of operators in Scotland achieve good environmental performance and the scheme will enable them to demonstrate this, while those falling short will be held publicly accountable faster than ever before. SEPA’s regulatory priority is those businesses who have unacceptable performance with no credible plan to recover compliance.
David Harley, SEPA’s Acting Chief Officer, Regulation Business and Environment, said:
“As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, our job is to ensure Scotland’s environmental laws are complied with.
“This proposed performance assessment scheme seeks to be fair and transparent. It raises the bar, helping us ensure that Scotland's environment is protected. EPAS is designed to be responsive, benefiting responsible operators who are doing the right thing.
“However unacceptable performance puts the environment and people at risk. EPAS will shine a spotlight on these operators, giving communities and responsible businesses confidence that action is being taken.”
A clear and consistent performance scheme benefits everyone – and SEPA want feedback from businesses, industry leaders and communities.
The consultation runs from 31st March to 30th June. A series of engagement activities are being planned from late-April to early June to give interested participants an opportunity to find out more. Follow SEPA on social media or sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date with planned engagement.
Help ensure the scheme is effective and robust from the beginning by visiting SEPA's consultation hub and making your views known.
Notes to editor
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EPAS has been developed in line with the Scottish regulators’ strategic code of practice.
EPAS will support SEPA's approach to regulation and provide a common standard to rate an operator’s environmental performance and secure improvements in compliance.
An environmental performance rating will not affect any decision about whether to take enforcement action where legal requirements have not been met.