The Environment Agency has published a new Regulatory Position Statement (RPS 361) specifically for waste wood in England, following successful advocacy by the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA).
RPS 361 allows permitted sites affected by unplanned downtime at biomass plants, incinerators, and panel board facilities to apply to temporarily exceed their permitted storage limits.
Significantly, the new statement now includes sites storing wood destined for panel board manufacture, which were excluded under the previous RPS 352 introduced in June 2025.
The update comes amid ongoing market pressures, with many sites experiencing material backlogs.
The WRA has been actively engaging regulators across the UK to address storage challenges, ensuring waste wood is diverted from landfill or incineration.
Vicki Hughes, Technical Lead on the WRA Board, said: “We welcome the launch of this RPS at a very challenging time for the waste wood market. Including panel board sites and recognising the impact of the past six months will help operators manage stock safely and responsibly.”
The new statement was first outlined at the WRA members’ meeting in Birmingham earlier this month. Howard Leberman, Senior Advisor & Team Leader at the Environment Agency, explained that sites must notify the regulator and justify any temporary storage increases, including the level, duration, and risk management measures in place.
RPS 361 is scheduled for review by 31 July 2026, providing the industry with a clear framework to manage storage pressures while supporting sustainable waste wood utilisation.
The WRA plans to brief regulators in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to encourage aligned approaches across the UK.
Environment Agency introduces new waste wood storage rules
