UK Spill Containment & Chemical Storage Legislation

Understanding UK Regulations for Spill Containment, Chemical Storage and Environmental Protection

Businesses that store oils, chemicals or hazardous liquids in the UK must comply with a range of environmental and safety regulations. These laws are designed to prevent pollution, protect watercourses and ensure safe storage of potentially harmful substances.

Failure to comply with UK environmental legislation can result in environmental damage, fines, enforcement notices and reputational risk.

This guide provides a simple overview of the key UK legislation covering spill containment, bunded storage and chemical storage. While it is not a substitute for legal advice, it outlines the main regulatory framework businesses should understand when storing hazardous liquids.

At Hyde Park Environmental, our containment systems and spill control solutions are designed to help organisations meet these legal requirements quickly and confidently.

Key UK Legislation Covering Spill Containment and Chemical Storage

Several pieces of legislation collectively govern how hazardous liquids must be stored and managed. These regulations apply across many sectors, including:

• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Engineering
• Food production

The most important laws and regulations include:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Oil Storage Regulations (England) 2001
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
• Water Resources Act 1991

Together, these regulations create a framework that requires businesses to store hazardous substances safely and prevent accidental releases into the environment.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) is one of the most important pieces of UK environmental legislation.It establishes the legal principle that businesses must prevent pollution and manage hazardous substances responsibly.

Under this Act:

• Businesses must prevent pollution of land, water and air
• Local authorities and regulators can enforce environmental controls
• Organisations may be liable for environmental damage caused by spills or leaks
• Improper storage of chemicals or oils may lead to prosecution

For companies storing oils or chemicals, this legislation effectively means preventative containment systems should be in place to minimise spill risk.

Oil Storage Regulations (England) 2001

The Oil Storage Regulations apply to businesses storing more than 200 litres of oil. These regulations require that oil storage containers must be protected by secondary containment systems, often referred to as bunds.

Typical requirements include:

• Secondary containment must hold at least 110% of the largest container’s capacity
• Containers must be protected from impact damage
• Storage systems must prevent leaks and overflows
• Equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained

In practice, this means businesses commonly use:

• Bunded pallets
• Bunded storage units
• Spill containment systems

These solutions help prevent oil spills from reaching drains or watercourses.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

The COSHH Regulations focus on protecting workers from exposure to hazardous substances.

While COSHH is primarily concerned with health and workplace safety, it also influences how chemicals are stored and handled.

Under COSHH, employers must:

• Assess risks from hazardous substances
• Implement safe storage and handling procedures
• Provide appropriate spill control measures
• Train staff on emergency spill response

This is why many organisations deploy spill kits and absorbents near chemical storage areas.

Water Resources Act 1991

The Water Resources Act makes it an offence to allow polluting substances to enter controlled waters, including rivers, lakes and groundwater.

This includes:

• Oils
• Chemicals
• Solvents
• Fuels

If a spill reaches a drain or watercourse, a company may face significant penalties and remediation costs.

As a result, businesses must take reasonable precautions to prevent leaks or spills from reaching drainage systems.

What These Regulations Mean for Your Business

Across these laws, several consistent themes appear. Businesses storing hazardous liquids should ensure:

• Containers are stored within secondary containment systems
• Bunds have sufficient containment capacity
• Spill response equipment is readily available
• Storage areas are regularly inspected
• Staff are trained to respond quickly to incidents

These steps dramatically reduce the risk of environmental incidents and help organisations comply with regulatory expectations.