Brexit

Brexit

EU environmental law

Over the years, the European Commission has taken a proactive approach to establishing environmental protection in a range of areas, such as: environmental liabilities, noise, industrial emissions and permitting, climate change, air quality, hazardous substances, chemicals, nuclear energy, sustainability, environmental management, conservation, water, energy and waste.

The vast majority of environmental regimes in the UK stem from European directives and regulations.

For more details on the EU’s environmental remit, including competence, institutions and bodies and policy, see Practice Note: Brexit—impact on environmental law—Background—EU environmental remit.

For details on EU environmental law more generally, see Practice Note: Introduction to EU environmental law—powerpoint and EU environmental law key developments—overview.

UK withdrawal from the EU

As a result of the 23 June 2016 UK referendum on membership of the EU, which voted with a 52% majority voting in favour of the UK leaving the EU, government published the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (

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Latest Environment News

DESNZ announces plans to consult on space heating product standards

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published a summary of proposals aimed at improving product standards for space and combination heaters. These proposals seek to update ecodesign and energy labelling legislation to facilitate heat electrification, reduce fossil fuel consumption, ensure legislative effectiveness, and improve energy labels. DESNZ intends to launch a consultation on these proposals by the end of 2024, once the draft statutory instrument is ready for publication.

JRC identifies 18 product categories for potential EU ecodesign regulation

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has published a report assessing various product categories for potential regulation under the new EU Regulation 2024/1781 (the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)). The JRC has identified 18 product groups, including both final and intermediate products, which show significant potential for reducing environmental impacts and enhancing EU strategic autonomy if regulated under the ESPR. The findings will inform the Commission's first ESPR Working Plan, due for adoption in the first half of 2025. The report also highlights the potential of horizontal requirements on durability, recyclability, and recycled content across multiple product groups.

Environmental enforcement round up — 22 November 2024

A round-up of the latest environmental enforcement, including farmer fined for not complying with alternative penalty to conviction.

Questions & unsatisfactory answers—the European Commission publishes guidance on the importer requirements of the EU Methane Regulation

EU Law analysis: Alex Kerr, partner at Baker Botts LLP, examines the European Commission’s Q&A document on the importer requirements of the EU Methane Regulation.