PART 1General

Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 and come into force on 3rd December 2012.

Duty to review these Regulations

2.-(1) The Secretary of State must from time to time-

(a)carry out a review of these Regulations;

(b)set out the conclusions of the review in a report; and

(c)publish the report.

(2) In carrying out the review the Secretary of State must, so far as is reasonable, have regard to how the Directive is implemented in other member States.

(3) The report must in particular-

(a)set out the objectives intended to be achieved by these Regulations;

(b)assess the extent to which those objectives are achieved; and

(c)assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposes less regulation.

(4) The first report under this regulation must be published before the end of the period of five years beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force.

(5) Reports under this regulation are afterwards to be published at intervals not exceeding five years.

(6) In this regulation, "the Directive" means Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC(4), as amended from time to time.

PART 2Amendments to the Environment Act 1995

Interpretation

3. In this Part, a reference to a numbered section is to that section of the Environment Act 1995(5).

Section 41

4. In section 41 (power to make schemes imposing charges)(6)-

(a)omit subsection (1)(i) and (j); and

(b)in subsection (10), omit the definitions of "aircraft operator" and "trading scheme registry".

Section 41A

5.-(1) Section 41A (charges in respect of greenhouse gas emissions permits etc)(7) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for "greenhouse gas emissions permits etc: supplementary" substitute "the EU greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme".

(3) For subsection (1) substitute-

"(1) Each of the new Agencies may require the payment to it of such charges as may from time to time be prescribed-

(a)as a means of recovering costs incurred by it in performing functions conferred under or by virtue of regulations made for the purpose of implementing the EU ETS Directive;

(b)in respect of-

(i)an application to open an account that, under the Registries Regulation 2011, is required to be held in a trading scheme registry;

(ii)the subsistence of such an account;

(iii)the updating of information provided to the Agency in relation to such an account;

and in this section "prescribed" means specified in, or determined under, a scheme (in this section referred to as a "charging scheme") made under this section by the new Agency in question.

(1A) A charging scheme may-

(a)make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities;

(b)provide for the times at which, and the manner in which, the charges prescribed by the scheme are to be paid;

(c)revoke or amend any previous charging scheme;

(d)contain supplemental, incidental, consequential or transitional provision for the purposes of the scheme.

(1B) A charging scheme must specify, in relation to any charge prescribed by the scheme, the description of person who is liable to pay the charge.

(1C) A new Agency may not make a charging scheme unless the provisions of the scheme have been approved by the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers under section 42.".

(4) In subsection (2)-

(a)for "operator registry charges or aircraft operator registry charges" substitute "charges under subsection (1)(b)"; and

(b)for "under section 42(2) below" substitute "or the Scottish Ministers under section 42".

(5) In subsection (5), for "operator registry charges and any aircraft operator charges" substitute "charges under subsection (1)(b)".

(6) For subsection (6)(a) substitute-

"(a)an application to open an account in a trading scheme registry, other than one that under the Registries Regulation 2011 is required to be held in that registry;".

(7) For subsection (7) substitute-

"(7) In this section-

"the Registries Regulation 2011" means Commission Regulation (EU) No 1193/2011 establishing a Union Registry for the trading period commencing on 1 January 2013, and subsequent trading periods, of the Union emissions trading scheme pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 280/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(8), as amended from time to time;

"trading scheme registry" means-

Section 42

6.-(1) Section 42 (approval of charging schemes)(10) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2), for paragraph (b) substitute-

"(b)have regard to-

(i)in the case of a charging scheme made under section 41, the matter specified in subsection (3);

(ii)in the case of a charging scheme made under section 41A, the matter specified in subsection (3A).".

(3) In subsection (3), for "(2)(b)" substitute "(2)(b)(i)".

(4) After subsection (3), insert-

"(3A) The matter mentioned in subsection (2)(b)(ii) above is the desirability of ensuring that the amounts recovered by the new Agency in question by way of charges prescribed by charging schemes are the amounts which, taking one year with another, need to be recovered by that new Agency to meet such of the costs and expenses (whether of a revenue or capital nature) which it incurs in carrying out its functions in relation to the matters described in section 41A(1) as the Secretary of State may consider it appropriate to attribute to the carrying out of those functions.".

(5) In subsection (4)-

(a)after "subsection (3)" insert "or (3A)"; and

(b)omit "in relation to the activities to which environmental licences of any particular description relate".

(6) For subsection (11) substitute-

"(11) In this section "charging scheme" means a scheme made under section 41 or 41A.".

Section 56

7. In section 56(1) (interpretation of Part 1)-

(a)in the definition of "environmental licence", both in relation to the Environment Agency and in relation to SEPA(11)-

(i)in paragraph (aa), insert at the end ", other than regulations made for the purpose of implementing the EU ETS Directive"; and

(ii)omit paragraph (k); and

(b)after those definitions, insert-

""the EU ETS Directive" means Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC, as amended from time to time;".

Section 111

8.-(1) Section 111 (evidence in connection with certain pollution offences)(12) is amended as follows.

(2) After subsection (2) insert-

"(2A) Information provided or obtained pursuant to or by virtue of relevant regulations (including information so provided or obtained, or recorded, by means of any apparatus) shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings, whether against the person subject to a requirement arising under or by virtue of the regulations or any other person.".

(3) In subsection (3)-

(a)for "subsection (2)" substitute "subsections (2) and (2A)"; and

(b)for "the relevant licence otherwise provides" substitute "provision otherwise is made by the relevant licence or by virtue of the relevant regulations".

(4) In subsection (4)-

(a)in paragraph (a)-

(i)after "a relevant licence" insert "or by virtue of relevant regulations", and

(ii)at the end insert "or compliance with any requirement arising under or by virtue of the regulations"; and

(b)at the end insert "or that requirement has not been complied with".

(5) In subsection (5), after the definition of "relevant licence" insert-

""relevant regulations" means regulations made for the purpose of implementing the EU ETS Directive (as defined by section 56)".

PART 3Amendments to the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Interpretation

9. In this Part, a reference to a numbered paragraph is to that paragraph of Schedule 1 to the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (particular purposes for which provision may be made under Article 4 (regulation of polluting activities))(13).

Paragraphs 9A and 9B

10.-(1) Omit paragraph 9A(14).

(2) In paragraph 9B(15)-

(a)in sub-paragraph (1), for the words from "by regulations" to the end substitute "under or by virtue of regulations made for the purpose of implementing the EU ETS Directive"; and

(b)for sub-paragraph (2) substitute-

"(2) Without prejudice to paragraph 9, authorising the Department to make schemes for the charging by enforcing authorities of fees or other charges ("registry charges") in respect of-

(a)an application to open an account that, under the Registries Regulation 2011, is required to be held in a trading scheme registry;

(b)the subsistence of such an account;

(c)the updating of information provided to the Environment Agency in relation to such an account.".

Paragraphs 24 and 24A

11.-(1) In paragraph 24 omit "9A,".

(2) In paragraph 24A(16)-

(a)omit "9A, or"; and

(b)omit "operator registry charges, or aircraft operator".

Paragraph 26

12.-(1) Paragraph 26(17) is amended as follows.

(2) Omit the definitions of "aircraft operator", "allowance" and "operator".

(3) After the definition of "Environment Agency" insert-

""the EU ETS Directive" means Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC, as amended from time to time;".

(4) After the definition of "public body" insert-

""the Registries Regulation 2011" means Commission Regulation (EU) No 1193/2011 establishing a Union Registry for the trading period commencing on 1 January 2013, and subsequent trading periods, of the Union emissions trading scheme pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 280/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as amended from time to time;".

(5) For the definition of "trading scheme registry" substitute-

""trading scheme registry" means-

PART 4Amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Interpretation

13. In this Part a reference to a numbered regulation is to that regulation of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010(18).

Regulation 2

14. In regulation 2-

(a)omit the definitions of "2005 Regulations" and "greenhouse gas emissions permit";

(b)at the end of the definition of "the Directive" insert ", as amended from time to time";

(c)after that definition insert-

""the Registries Regulation 2011" means Commission Regulation (EU) No 1193/2011 establishing a Union Registry for the trading period commencing on 1 January 2013, and subsequent trading periods, of the Union emissions trading scheme pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 280/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as amended from time to time;"; and

(d)for the definition of "trading scheme registry" substitute-

""trading scheme registry" means-

Regulations 4 and 5

15.-(1) In regulation 4-

(a)in paragraph (2)-

(i)omit sub-paragraphs (a) to (f);

(ii)for sub-paragraph (g) substitute-

"(g)charges ("registry charges") in respect of-

(i)an application to open an account that, under the Registries Regulation 2011, is required to be held in a trading scheme registry;

(ii)the subsistence of such an account;

(iii)the updating of information provided to the Environment Agency in relation to such an account";

(iii)for sub-paragraph (h) substitute-

"(h)fees or charges in respect of any costs incurred by the enforcing authority in performing any functions conferred under or by virtue of regulations made for the purpose of implementing the Directive"; and

(iv)omit sub-paragraph (i);

(b)in paragraph (3), for "the 2005 Regulations" substitute "regulations made for the purpose of implementing the Directive"; and

(c)in paragraph (4), for "its functions under the 2005 Regulations" substitute "the functions referred to in paragraph (2)(h)".

(2) In regulation 5-

(a)in paragraph (1)(a), for the words from "prescribe" to the end substitute "prescribe registry charges, or to amend any provision for such charges included in a charging scheme made under section 41A of the Environment Act 1995"; and

(b)in paragraph (4), for "operator registry charges or aircraft operator registry charges" substitute "registry charges".

PART 5Consequential amendment and revocations

Amendment of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999

16. In paragraph 9A of Schedule 1 to the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999(19)-

(a)for sub-paragraph (1) substitute-

"(1) Authorising the Secretary of State to make schemes for the charging by regulators of charges, as respects functions in relation to offshore installations, corresponding to those that may be prescribed under section 41A of the Environment Act 1995(20)."; and

(b)in sub-paragraph (3), for ""greenhouse gas emissions permit" and "offshore installation" have" substitute ""offshore installation" has".

Revocations

17.-(1) Paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 6 to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005(21) is revoked.

(2) In the Schedule to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Registries and Fees etc.) Regulations 2011(22), the following are revoked-

(a)paragraph 22(b);

(b)paragraph 23(b) to (f);

(c)paragraph 28(a).

(3) In regulation 2 of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010(23), the following are revoked-

(a)paragraph (2)(a) and (b);

(b)paragraph (2)(d)(iii).

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations deal with matters arising from the duty to transpose into United Kingdom law Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC ("the EU ETS Directive"), as amended in particular by Directives 2008/101/EC and 2009/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Under the emissions trading system established by those Directives ("EU ETS"), an overall cap is set for emissions of greenhouse gases from specified activities. Operators must monitor and report emissions, and surrender sufficient emissions trading allowances to cover their emissions for each year. Under the amendments made by Directive 2008/101/EC, the system covers emissions from aviation activities as well as from stationary installations. A new phase of the system ("Phase 3") begins on 1st January 2013.

The EU ETS Directive is currently implemented by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/925) and the Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1996) ("the current implementing Regulations"). These confer responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the system on regulators in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (respectively the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the chief inspector in Northern Ireland). By virtue of the charging provisions of Part 1 of the Environment Act 1995, of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, and of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, those regulators may make charging schemes in order to cover the costs of carrying out their EU ETS functions. The present Regulations amend those charging provisions so that appropriate charging schemes can continue to be made when the current implementing Regulations are themselves amended or replaced (and in particular when this is done for the purposes of the implementation of Phase 3 of EU ETS).

Regulations 4 and 5 amend sections 41 and 41A of the Environment Act 1995 ("the Act"), which applies to regulators in England, Wales and Scotland. As a result, the charging scheme powers for EU ETS will now be contained solely in section 41A. In addition, the provisions will no longer make specific reference to the current implementing Regulations or to functions specifically relating to permits. Instead, a more general reference will now be made to functions conferred by regulations made for the purpose of implementing the EU ETS Directive. Charges may also be prescribed in relation to opening, subsistence and updating of accounts that are required to be held in a trading scheme registry (these being the accounts held by the operators and aircraft operators covered by EU ETS). The definition of "trading scheme registry" is then updated to take into account the Registries Regulation 2011 (Commission Regulation (EU) No 1193/2011).

Regulation 6 makes consequential amendments to section 42 of the Act. As a result, the provisions relating to consultation, approval by Secretary of State (or Scottish Ministers) and Treasury consent will continue to apply to charging schemes made for the purposes of EU ETS. Amendments also ensure that the conditions for approval set out in section 42(2) extend to all the EU ETS functions of the regulators concerned.

Regulation 7 makes consequential amendments to the definitions in section 56 of the Act. The amendments made by regulation 8 then ensure that the provisions in section 111 (relating to evidence in proceedings) continue to apply.

Regulations 10 to 12 similarly amend Schedule 1 to the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, which applies to functions in Northern Ireland. As a result, that Schedule will no longer make specific reference to the current implementing Regulations, or to functions specifically relating to permits. Paragraph 9B of the Schedule will now refer instead to functions conferred by regulations made for the purpose of implementing the EU ETS Directive (as now defined in paragraph 26), and to accounts that are required to be held in a trading scheme registry. The definition of "trading scheme registry" is similarly updated.

Regulations 14 and 15 make corresponding amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

Regulation 16 makes consequential amendments to the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999.

Regulation 17 revokes provisions which, as a result of the above amendments made by these Regulations, are now otiose.

An Impact Assessment has not been prepared as the instrument is not expected to have any direct impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors. An Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside the instrument on the legislation website of The National Archives (http://www.legislation.gov.uk).