The Environment Agency is consulting on the draft Resource Framework (previously known as Quality Protocol) for Aggregate from Inert Waste. The Environment Agency is consulting on the proposed framework, the approach taken to develop it, and whether people agree that the requirements for achieving end of waste status have been met. For further information and to access the consultation click here. The consultation closes 8 January 2027.

Subject to approval by the Environment Agency, CL:AIRE intends to operate an independent third-party accreditation scheme to support implementation of the Aggregates From Inert Waste: Resource Framework. Additional information about the consultation and CL:AIRE’s role can be found on the CL:AIRE website here.

CL:AIRE recently hosted two member events, both were well attended with the opportunity to network and develop new contacts. The first event was the third networking event of 2026, this time held in Leeds on 15 October at the Adelphi pub. This event was kindly supported by The Environmental Protection Group Ltd and Jackson Remediation Ltd.

The second event was the Principal Members' Dinner on 22 October held at Brown's Brasserie in Covent Garden, London. This event brought together CL:AIRE Trustees and Principal Members to allow open discussion of how CL:AIRE can try and help industry, and for CL:AIRE to thank Principal Members for their continued support.

Further information about CL:AIRE membership is available here.

CL:AIRE was delighted to attend the third annual meeting of the International Soil Reuse Forum (ISRF) in Orléans, France, hosted by BRGM. The meeting, held on 22 September, included colleagues from Grondbank and Walterre in Belgium, SIKB in the Netherlands, and guest speakers from the Canadian Environmental Land Stewardship Coalition and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan).  

The Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment (SoBRA) has published new guidance on bulk earthworks and ground gas. It is available to download for free here.

The Environment Agency has published reforms to waste exemption guidance that will be coming into effect from 6 January 2027.  These reforms are subject to parliamentary approval and are expected to be approved before 17 December 2026. The updated guidance explains that most exemptions are affected and some exemptions are being withdrawn. Further details are available here.

Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published updated Enabling Natural Capital Approach (ENCA) guidance to bring it in line with current government policy. It is available to access here.

Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has opened up a call for evidence seeking specific examples of actual or potential blockers that prevent, delay or discourage the on-the-ground delivery of nature restoration, conservation and management across land, freshwater and coastal areas in England. They are also welcoming examples of approaches that have helped to overcome these barriers. Further information is available here. The call closes on Monday 14 December 2026.

Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its updated plans to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking, the benefits of this change, the timelines and impacts. Further information is available here.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has recently published guidance for radon in basements. The guidance is geared towards developments through planning and building control, but has wider environmental application. The guide was prepared by The Environmental Protection Group and is available to download from CL:AIRE's Water and Land Library - Assessing risk associated with gases and vapours (INFO-RA2-4) and can be directly downloaded here.

Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has requested information to feed into the draft risk profiles and draft risk management evaluations for three chemical substances proposed as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to the United Nations POP review committee. Further details are here. Responses are required by 29 November 2026.

Please put 15-16 September 2027 in your calendars for the return of Contamination & Land Remediation (CLR) Expo, part of the Environmental Services & Solutions (ESS) Expo. There is also a new addition to the ESS Expo portfolio as Ground Engineering & Enabling Works (GEW) Expo launches in 2027.

Co-located with the Geotechnical Engineering & Operations (GEO) Expo and CLR Expo, together forming the Ground Solutions Series, GEW will be the dedicated supplier showcase for the next step - the enabling works, ground engineering execution and construction site preparation. Visit the ESS Expo website for further information.