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Vary an existing authorisation

An application can be made to vary an existing registration or permit to carry out activities under The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018  (EASR).

You can’t apply through our online service to vary an existing authorisation.

Please note, the regulation of water, waste management and industrial activities will transition under EASR from 1 November 2025.

You cannot apply to vary an EASR authorisation using our digital application service until 1 November 2025.

If you need to apply to vary an authorisation before 1 November 2025, read Authorisations and Permits on our legacy website.

Varying a registration

You can vary a registration to add another registration level activity or increase the extent of an activity. To do this, you’ll need to provide:

• A generic application form (APP-GEN1), which will ask details about your business or organisation.
• An activity form.
• Supporting information.
• Payment.

You need to complete an activity form for each activity included in your application. This form, and guidance on how to complete it, can be obtained from the activity information page. Using the guidance will help you provide the right information in your application.

Varying a permit

You can vary a permit to add another activity, change any existing activities or make administrative changes. To do this, you’ll need to provide:

• A generic application form (APP-GEN1), which will ask details about your business or organisation.
• A variation form(s).
• Supporting information.
• Payment.

If you are adding more than one new activity or changing more than one existing activity, you will need to submit a variation form for each activity.

Additional information for water activities

If adding a new activity or applying for an activity within the water regulatory area you will need an activity form for each activity.

If you are applying to vary a marine pen fish farm permit you may also need to provide:

• Pre-App-P-WAT-B1 - Pre-application proposal form - New marine pen fish farm or change to an existing marine pen fish farm, and/or
• SERA-P-WAT-B1 - Screening environmental risk assessment - Pen layout changes at marine pen fish farms

What do I need to know?

An activity form for each activity being applied for must be included in your application. This form, and guidance on how to complete it, can be found on the activity information page.

Email the completed forms and any required supporting information to registry@sepa.org.uk. Please make sure you have included the correct surrender fee.

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

If you’re a user of British Sign Language, the Contact Scotland BSL service will give you access to an online interpreter.

After you apply

We will assess your application and tell you of our decision, the statutory timescale for a registration is within 28 days and four months for a permit. On occasion, there may be circumstances where these timescales might need to be extended.

We may need to contact you when we are assessing your application if we have questions or need more information.

If you choose to combine multiple related activities under one application, the determination period will default to the longest timescale (e.g. if your application includes both a registration level and permit level activity, the determination period for both will be four months).

If SEPA decline to accept your application on the grounds that insufficient information has been provided to allow us to make a determination, you will be refunded 80% of your application fee.

If your application is refused, you will be told why this decision has been made, and provided with details of what to do next. Application fees will not be refunded for applications which are refused or withdrawn.