Production of paper, pulp and wood-based panels

Table of contents

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Authorisation level
Public consultation
Fit and Proper Person tests
Fees and charges
Permit conditions
How to apply
Help and guidance
You may also need

This activity applies to the production in industrial installations of —

pulp from timber or other fibrous materials,
paper or cardboard with a production capacity exceeding 20 tonnes per day,
one or more of the following wood-based panels: oriented strand board, particleboard or fibreboard with a production capacity exceeding 600 m3 per day.

This activity is found in Schedule 20 Part 4 Paragraph 29 of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations.

Authorisation level

Permit

Public consultation

We may publicly consult on applications that, due to their nature or location, have higher likelihood of environmental impact and community impact.

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.

Fees and charges

An application fee applies to the application of a new authorisation for this activity.

An annual activity fee applies to this activity.

Read our charging information for further information on application and annual activity fees.

Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a permit that authorises this activity, is in our charging information.

Permit conditions

Permits may contain both standard conditions and conditions specific to the activity and location. The conditions of your permit will be decided when we assess your application. This is to ensure that the appropriate limits and controls are in place to minimise pollution and protect the environment.

If you carry out an activity under a permit authorisation you must comply with the conditions set out in your authorisation. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

How to apply

In this section you can find out how to apply for a new authorisation and how to apply for a variation, transfer and surrender of an existing authorisation.

New applications

You can apply for a new permit for this activity using our digital application service.

If you are applying for new permit, we would encourage you to contact us with any pre-application enquiries before submitting your application.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You will need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-IND-IA2: Schedule 20 - Emissions activities

Step 2: Provide supporting information

For a new permit, you will also need to provide the following supporting information:

A description of the activity and how it will be managed, including management plans, and a non-technical summary
Site plan including infrastructure and raw material and waste storage locations and quantities.
Location plan
How you will apply the best available techniques (BAT).
Emissions inventory (including emissions via a sewer network) and an assessment of potential impacts of emissions on air and water.
Energy consumption and generation and detail of any climate change levy agreement
Resource efficiency including techniques and measures to prevent and reduce waste, emissions and heat, and how the waste hierarchy has been applied.
Odour assessment and techniques and measures to prevent and reduce offensive odours
Noise and vibration impact assessment and noise control techniques and measures
Monitoring and sampling locations, parameters, frequency and methods
Site report and baseline report describing the condition of the land.

Step 3: Submit using our digital application service

You can submit your completed application using our digital application service.

Make an application for a new authorisation

You can apply to vary an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your variation form

You will need to download and complete the following variation form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-IND-IA2V: Schedule 20 - Emissions activities variation form

Step 2: Submit your application for a variation

Make an application to vary an authorisation

You can apply to transfer an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your transfer form

You will need to download and complete the following transfer form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-IND-IA2T: Schedule 20 - Emissions activities transfer form

Step 2: Submit your application

Read Transfer an existing authorisation to find out how to submit your application for a transfer

To apply to surrender an existing permit that authorises this activity, read Surrender an existing authorisation