Environment Agency Confirms Fee Increases Following Consultation

The Environment Agency has confirmed that the majority of the fee increases proposed in its April 2025 Cost of Service consultation will go ahead.

These changes are aimed at ensuring the Agency can recover the full cost of delivering its regulatory services in the face of rising operational and administrative expenses.

The consultation, which closed in June, received 244 responses. A significant portion of the industry voiced concerns, with over 150 respondents opposing above-inflation increases, particularly those affecting International Waste Shipments. Charges for these shipments will rise by 14%, a move justified by the Agency as necessary to cover inspection, compliance, and enforcement costs.

Other changes include adjustments across permitting, compliance assessment, and enforcement services for various waste, water, and industrial activities. While the EA acknowledged the feedback, it has maintained that without the increases, service delivery and environmental protection could be compromised.

The revised charges will take effect in early 2026, and the Agency has committed to reviewing them regularly to ensure fairness, transparency, and continued cost recovery.

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