ISO 14001:2026 is now in force
The revised ISO 14001:2026 standard came into effect on 15 April 2026. This update provides greater clarity around requirements, with a stronger focus on leadership, governance and accountability. It also reflects current environmental priorities, including climate change and biodiversity.
Organisations will need to review and update their environmental management systems to remain aligned with the new standard. In particular, there is an increased emphasis on demonstrating tangible environmental performance and meeting stakeholder expectations in a credible way. A transition period of approximately three years is anticipated, with full compliance likely to be required by April or May 2029.
Updated HSE guidance on infection risks and biological hazards
The Health and Safety Executive has published revised guidance on managing infection risks and biological hazards in the workplace. The updated material is designed to help employers better identify potential biological hazards and apply suitable control measures.
Clearer advice on risk assessment and legal responsibilities is now provided, alongside practical steps for managing workplace exposure. The structure of the guidance has also been improved, allowing users to navigate more easily according to industry type and specific risks.
Outdated content, particularly material not directly relevant to workplace settings, has been removed. The revised guidance includes stronger links to supporting resources and directs users towards trusted clinical sources such as the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency.
DEFRA Biodiversity Net Gain consultation outcomes
On 15 April, DEFRA published responses to its consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain, a mandatory requirement intended to ensure that development leads to measurable improvements in biodiversity. The policy continues to require a minimum 10 per cent increase in biodiversity value.
The introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects has been delayed again. It will now apply only to Development Consent Order applications submitted on or after 2 November 2026. New biodiversity gain statements will be issued alongside National Policy Statements, setting out both the intended outcomes and the methods for calculating and verifying gains. Delivery of these gains may take place on site or elsewhere, with no formal preference between the two.
For other types of development, several changes have been confirmed. Sites of 0.2 hectares or smaller will generally be exempt, unless they affect priority habitats. This change is expected to remove around half of residential developments from the scope of the requirement. At the same time, the exemption for small scale self-build and custom build projects will be withdrawn.
Additional exemptions will apply in defined circumstances, including biodiversity-led development, temporary permissions and projects that enhance parks, public gardens or playing fields. The existing de minimis exemption will remain in place. Secondary legislation is anticipated before the summer recess, with these changes intended to come into force before 31 July 2026.
A further consultation is now underway to consider whether brownfield residential developments should be excluded from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. This reflects the government’s ongoing priority to encourage development on previously used land. The consultation is due to close on 10 June 2026.
UK Emissions Trading Scheme extended to maritime activity
An amendment to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme was published on 2 April 2026, extending its scope to include certain maritime activities. From 1 July 2026, emissions from qualifying voyages will fall within the scheme, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen dioxide.
Operators of affected vessels calling at UK ports will need to comply with several requirements. These include preparing and maintaining an approved emissions monitoring plan, carrying out annual monitoring and verification, and reporting emissions data. Operators must also surrender a corresponding number of emissions allowances each year.
This change marks a significant expansion of the scheme and reflects wider efforts to address emissions from the maritime sector.
