The Environment Agency Chief Regulator has called for regulation to go further and have “more teeth” to protect people and the environment and enable businesses to grow.
In a new report, the Chief Regulator Dr Jo Nettleton called for the environmental regulation framework to be reformed to ensure firm action is taken against rogue operators.
The new report shows that across dozens of sectors, including resources and waste, 93% of over 14,000 businesses are complying with their environmental permits.
Over the last year, the Environment Agency issued fines totalling £8.7 million to businesses not complying with regulations.
The report also found the Environment Agency shut down 63 illegal waste sites in 2025 and prevented nearly 34,000 tonnes of waste from being illegally exported.
According to the report, 344 illegal waste sites are now in operation, the lowest total figure on record.
I want to ensure the Environment Agency is holding to account those poor performers so that they improve and do not gain advantage from cutting corners
The Chief Regulator’s newly-created role is to hold the Environment Agency to account in delivering its regulatory activities and to champion best practices.
Commenting on the report, Dr Jo Nettleton said it was important to “strike a balance” between regulation that shows more teeth but supports good businesses and removes unnecessary burdens.
“I want to ensure the Environment Agency is holding to account those poor performers so that they improve and do not gain advantage from cutting corners,” Nettleton said.
Alongside an updated framework, Dr Nettleton has called for the Environment Agency to provide a better experience to those it regulates.
The report says this will require resilient funding, including from increased cost recovery for implementing regulations, to enable better digital services, improved customer advice, improved data-led decision-making, and a smoother customer experience.
CIWM responds to the Chief Regulator’s report
Responding to the report, CIWM’s Director of External Affairs, Dan Cooke, said: “This is a useful and important report. It shows that 10,227 sites and operations involved in waste management account for 73% of all Environmental Permits held and inspected by the Environment Agency.
“The report also highlights the EA’s ongoing efforts against waste crime, with 344 illegal sites known to be active. Although this is the lowest number on record, it still shows the scale of the problem we all face.
“As well as environmental and economic damage and loss, waste crime causes misery and anxiety to many local communities.
“CIWM will continue to work closely with the EA, police, HMRC, ESA, local authorities and other parties, to play our part in highlighting the range of criminal activity involving waste materials, including misclassification of waste types, tax evasion, dumping, fly-tipping and illegal export. We should all be vigilant and report issues where we see them.”
You can read Cooke’s full statement here.
