The Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage) (Retention of Information and Samples) Regulations 2025, effective May 13, 2025, establish mandatory retention periods for carbon storage information and samples held by licensees.

The regulations cover various categories of information including survey, well, site, injection, production, monitoring, and installation data, specifying retention periods until a relevant event occurs or an information plan takes effect.

Similar requirements are outlined for the retention of samples, with stipulations about disposal notification and timeframes.

The regulations also address scenarios where a carbon storage license terminates, transferring responsibilities to a defined ‘responsible person’.

These regulations amend existing legislation in Northern Ireland to incorporate the latest EU ecodesign requirements for energy-related products and energy labelling.

The changes, implemented under the Windsor Framework, update the lists of products and their associated regulations, ensuring compliance with EU law.

Specific products covered include tumble dryers, space heaters, and smartphones, with staggered implementation dates.

The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2023 Order to make non-material changes to bycatch reduction measures.

Specifically, it revises the definition of "the offshore compensation measures" and modifies paragraphs 10-12 of Part 3 of Schedule 16, related to guillemot compensation, by updating consultation processes, predator eradication methods, and notification requirements.

The changes were made following an application under the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 and are effective from April 14, 2025.

This order corrects errors in the Heckington Fen Solar Park Order 2025, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008.

The Secretary of State approved corrections based on a written request from the applicant, which were then notified to the relevant local planning authorities.

The corrections amend several sections of the original order, updating references and coordinates, particularly in Schedules 1 and 13.

The effective date is April 14, 2025.

The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025, effective May 1, 2025, implement several sections of the Environment Act 2021 concerning biodiversity net gain.

These sections, primarily impacting planning permissions in England, introduce a condition within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that all new developments contribute towards increasing biodiversity.

The regulations clarify specific parts of the relevant legislation that come into effect and explain the integration of these additions into existing planning processes.

While no independent cost impact assessment was deemed necessary for these regulations, reference is made to a broader impact assessment on the Environment Act 2021.

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 1986 Regulations to permit road use of hydrogen-fuelled agricultural vehicles, engineering plant, works trucks, and category T tractors.

The amendments introduce new safety requirements for hydrogen fuel systems, including stipulations for fuelling receptacles, pressure relief devices, leak prevention, and driver warnings.

These requirements align with UNECE regulations and aim to balance enabling the use of hydrogen technology with ensuring public and environmental safety.

The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 amend existing legislation to reflect changes introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

The regulations update fees for certain planning applications and adjust several Acts to incorporate new provisions for planning permission on Crown land in England.

These new provisions establish two application routes: one for urgent, nationally important developments and another for nationally important developments without urgency.

The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2025, effective September 30, 2025, amend Annex 3 of (EC) No 1223/2009 to restrict methyl salicylate in cosmetics.

The regulation sets varying maximum concentrations based on product type, ensuring safe levels according to Scientific Advisory Group advice. A transitional period until March 31, 2026, allows existing stock to be sold.