When we issue a permission, it generally includes general, standard and specific conditions. These outline the legal obligations of the permission holder. They set up a framework for risk management, record keeping and reporting.
Conditions focus on areas where there may be a significant impact on the environment.
Conditions are grouped by type:
- general (G) for standard and administrative requirements
- discharge of waste to air (DA)
- discharge of waste to water (DW)
- deposit of waste to land (DL)
- acceptance and treatment of wastes (WA)
- management of wastes (WM)
- landfill management (L).
How we apply conditions
We apply conditions in a targeted way. This means they do not directly address all risks.
For example, we do not apply conditions for some commonplace risks, or when an industry already understands what they need to do to comply with the law.
We may apply a general condition to establish a standard of performance across an industry or for a specific risk – for example, where there's a history of non-compliance in that industry.
Specific conditions generally apply to the primary risk that is the basis for requiring a permission. For licences, we may also apply customised conditions for a specific site.
We apply conditions to support and enhance the general environmental duty. Conditions:
- set minimum standards of performance
- restrict certain actions or activities
- specify environmental outcomes for an activity to meet.
Most conditions are applied generally across a type of permission or to a type of activity.
General conditions
To see the general conditions for each prescribed activity, visit Find which permission you need.
General conditions across all permissions include:
Risk management
You must develop a risk management and monitoring program to identify risks and show how you will manage and control them.
Notifying us about an incident
You must notify us about a discharge, emission or deposit that may cause harm or that breaches a condition of your permission.
Performance reporting
You must prepare and submit a permission information and performance statement when requested.
Record keeping
You must notify us if any details about your business change. You records must always be made available.
Permission copy
You must keep a copy of your permission at the activity site. It must be accessible to anyone conducting the activity at the site.
Site induction and training
You must include information about the licence requirements and duties in your site induction and training information.
Decommissioning
You must prepare a decommissioning plan to remove the risk from plant, equipment and activity site areas that are no longer in use.
Complying with conditions
We expect businesses to have robust systems and processes in place to demonstrate and assess your performance against your permission.
You're expected to know your legal obligations and operational risks. You must also have appropriate risk management controls in place.
If you do not comply with the law or with a permission condition, we take a no-tolerance approach and can take action. For example, we can issue a remedial notice or a fine, or we can start court proceedings. We also have the power to suspend or revoke a permission. To learn more, visit Fines and enforcement.
For some conditions, you may need to comply with specific parts of the guidance outlined in Licence management.
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