VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Waste Disposal: Regulation

Asked by Aphra BrandrethConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 2 February 2026UIN 108963

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to decrease the time taken to provide Environment Agency accreditation approvals.

Answered by Mary Creagh

The Environment Agency (EA) is committed to reducing the time taken to determine accreditation applications. While the Packaging Regulations set a 12‑week statutory determination period, the new regulations now require more detailed information from operators. The EA has expanded its resources dedicated to assessing these more comprehensive applications.

To support quicker and higher‑quality submissions, the EA has also updated its guidance, increased pre‑application support, and engaged extensively with industry through events and webinars. These steps are already helping to reduce avoidable delays caused by incomplete or low‑quality applications.

The EA will continue to refine its processes, streamline assessment where possible, and work with industry to ensure applications can be determined as quickly as the regulations allow.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim