United Kingdom · guide · 7 September 2026
How do I find my environmental permit online?
Most Environment Agency environmental permits — including waste operations, installations, and water discharge activities — are published on Public Register Online. You can search by operator name, site name, postcode, or permit number, and view the current permit, variations, compliance assessments, and enforcement history. Source: EA public register guidance (OGL v3.0).
Public Register Online
Public Register Online is the EA's searchable database of environmental permits, compliance records, and enforcement notices. Access it at:
environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index
How to search for your permit
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Go to Public Register Online
Navigate to the search page. No account or login is required.
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Enter your search criteria
You can search by operator name, site name, postcode, or permit number. Partial matches are usually supported (e.g. search for "Reliance" to find all operators with that name).
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Select your site from the results
The results list shows operator, site name, permit number, and activity type. Click on the site to view the full permit page.
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View permit and compliance details
The site page includes tabs or sections for the current permit, variations, CARs (compliance assessments), compliance ratings, and enforcement notices.
What you can find on the register
For permits published on Public Register Online, you can typically view:
- Current permit conditions — the consolidated permit as varied.
- Permit variations and surrender applications — history of changes to the permit.
- Compliance Assessment Reports (CARs) — findings, actions, CCS scores.
- Compliance rating — year-end CCS band (A to F).
- Enforcement notices — warnings, formal notices, civil sanctions, prosecutions.
The register is updated periodically. Very recent documents (e.g. a CAR issued in the last few days) may not yet appear online.
What if my permit is not online?
Some older permits, radioactive substances licences, and certain other regimes may not yet be on Public Register Online. In these cases:
- Contact the EA area office responsible for your permit to request access to the public register file.
- Submit a Freedom of Information or Environmental Information Regulations request to the EA for copies of specific documents.
Guidance on accessing the public register is available at gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information.
Why you might need your permit
Reviewing your permit and CAR history online is useful for:
- Understanding which conditions apply to your site.
- Checking your current CCS score and compliance band.
- Reviewing past findings and actions required.
- Preparing for an upcoming inspection or variation application.
- Due diligence (buyers, landlords, insurers).
What CARBrief does with permit data
When you order a Permit + CAR Review, we extract the relevant conditions from your permit and cross-reference them with the non-compliances recorded on the CAR. We do not modify or interpret the legal wording of your permit.
Common questions
Where can I find my environmental permit online?
Most waste, installations, and water discharge permits are on Public Register Online at environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index. You can search by operator name, site name, postcode, or permit number.
Can I see my CAR history online?
Yes. If your permit is on Public Register Online, you can view all published CARs, compliance ratings, and enforcement notices by navigating to your site page and viewing the 'Compliance' section.
What if my permit is not on Public Register Online?
Some older permits, radioactive substances licences, and certain other regimes may not yet be on Public Register Online. You can request access to the public register by contacting the EA area office or using the FOI/EIR request route.