Find out if your facility needs an environmental permit and how to apply.
Do I need to apply for a permit?
Installations that produce or treat metals will normally need a bespoke environmental permit. The metals sector is divided into two sub-sectors; ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which are listed in Chapter 2 of Schedule 1 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations:
- Ferrous metals such as integrated iron and steel works (including coke ovens) electric (arc) steelmaking and ferrous metal processing activities.
- Non-ferrous metals from ore, concentrates or secondary materials by metallurgical, chemical or electrolytic activities, or where melting of specified metals above specified capacity thresholds.
A further class of activity in the metals sector is the surface treatment sector, which may include operations in either sub-sector, but is treated as a separate activity in its own right.
The permit may be issued from the Environment Agency or Local Authority depending on the metal being melted or extracted and the capacities of the installation.
Further information is given in Regulatory Guidance Series No. 2 Understanding the meaning of regulated facility. You can find a copy of this on our regulatory guidance page:
How to apply for a permit
We have two types of permit available, standard and bespoke. The majority of operations in this sector will need a bespoke environmental permit.
However, certain operations may be eligible for a low impact installation permit. The application form contains the qualifying criteria for the low impact installations. You can view this on our application forms and guidance page:
Click on the headings below to find out more about the environmental permitting process:
Find out how to make changes to (vary), transfer or surrender your permit.
Guidance on how to complete your application and help you comply with the conditions of your environmental permit.
You need to fill in the application form if you want to apply for a new permit, or if you want to change, transfer or surrender your permit.
Find out how we consult with the public and relevant organisations on applications for permits.
The Environment Agency must decide whether to grant or refuse the applications on this page. If it grants an application, it must also decide what conditions should be included in the permit.
Further help
If you still aren’t sure whether you need an Environmental Permit, please contact our National Customer Contact Centre on 0370 8506506. If your enquiry is of a technical nature they may pass you to someone in our area offices.
Please be aware that the amount of free time we can spend on pre-application is limited. Please familiarise yourself with the relevant guidance before you call us.
