NetRegs
Plain-English environmental law for businesses that don't have an in-house lawyer
What it is
About NetRegs
NetRegs translates UK and devolved environmental legislation into practical, sector-specific guidance — covering waste, pollution prevention, water discharge and permitting — aimed at SMEs and environmental consultants who need to check compliance obligations quickly. It's maintained by Scotland's and Northern Ireland's environmental regulators and complements the Environment Agency's own permitting portals for England. It's a reference resource rather than software, but a heavily used one in environmental consultancy and compliance work.
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Look up sector-specific environmental compliance requirements
Check permitting and licensing obligations before applying
Access plain-English summaries of environmental legislation
Use compliance checklists for site inspections and audits
Stay current on regulatory changes affecting waste and pollution control
How to learn it
Learning Resources
Browse NetRegs.org.uk directly by sector or topic
Review SEPA and NIEA's own guidance and webinar resources
Complete IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) training courses
Cross-reference with the Environment Agency's guidance for England-specific rules
Pro Tip
NetRegs is written for Scotland and Northern Ireland primarily — always cross-check against Environment Agency guidance for England-specific permitting detail, since requirements diverge across the UK's four nations.
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool