Southwest Environmental Limited

What is OPRA?

Technical Archive: Understanding the Transition from Opra

The Operational Risk Appraisal (Opra) system was historically the primary method used by the Environment Agency to assess the risk of a site and determine the associated permit application fees and annual subsistence charges. While Opra has now been largely superseded by the Environment Agency's newer "Charge for Resourcing" model, understanding its legacy is helpful for operators managing older environmental permits.

What was the Opra System?

Opra allowed the regulator to score a facility based on five key attributes: Complexity, Emissions, Location, Operator Performance, and Public Engagement. This multi-tiered approach ensured that higher-risk installations paid more toward regulatory oversight than low-impact sites. Key legacy components included:

• Complexity Attribute: A score based on the type of activity and its inherent environmental risk.
• Emissions Attribute: An assessment of the substance, medium, and quantity of potential releases.
• Operator Performance: A metric that allowed well-managed sites with a robust Environmental Management System (EMS) to potentially reduce their fees.

The New Charging Scheme: A Simplified Approach

The current system has moved away from the complex attribute-based scoring of Opra in favor of a more transparent, fixed-charge approach for standard activities. For bespoke applications, charges are now based on a tiered system that reflects the amount of regulatory time required for assessment. This change has significant implications for how operators approach their permit application forms.

• Fixed Application Fees: Most standard rules permits now carry a set fee regardless of location.
• Time-and-Materials Billing: For complex bespoke permits, the EA may bill based on the actual technical hours spent on the determination.
• Performance-Based Subsistence: While Opra is gone, site performance scores still influence the annual subsistence fees through the Compliance Rating Score (CCS).

Strategic Guidance for Permit Holders

Navigating the transition between legacy systems and modern regulatory requirements requires technical authority and up-to-date industry knowledge. Whether you are reviewing an old permit issued under the Opra regime or preparing a new UK environmental permit application, SWEL provides the expertise needed to manage regulatory costs. With over 900 projects delivered across the United Kingdom, we ensure your facility remains compliant under the latest charging frameworks.

Our Service Offering from when OPRA was a "thing".

OPRA = Operational Risk Appraisal Scheme.

OPRA is the Environments Agency's system for deciding which operations carry the highest risks. It also determine the fees you pay if you operate under or intend to operate under a bespoke permit.

Higher Risk Activities will be more of of priority for the Environment Agency, they will allocate more resources to Permitted Activities with High Operational Risk to ensure that they are run correctly. If you are applying for a bespoke permit the you OPRA score will also determine your application fee. The higher your OPRA score, the more you will pay.

Will OPRA apply to my Operation?

There are three tires with regards to operations:

Tier-1 – Generally applies to exemptions. OPRA is generally not a requirement for these operations.

Tier-2 – Generally applies to Standard Environmental Permits. OPRA is used to gauge operational risk, but not the application fee as standard permits have a fixed application fee. Activities with low operational risk will have less environment agency time allocated to observing their activities.

Tier-3 - Generally applies to Bespoke Environmental Permits. OPRA is used to gauge operational risk, and the application fee as bespoke permits have a variable application fee. Activities with low operational risk will have less environment agency time allocated to observing their activities. A good OPRA scoring is also important for the procurement of contracts.

Which parts of OPRA are relevant to your operation?

Annex A Opra scheme for installations *

Annex B Opra scheme for waste facilities

Annex C Opra scheme for mining waste operations

Annex D Opra for permits with fixed charges

*For installations you will likely be required to carry out a H1 risk assessment, before you can complete OPRA.

Read More (EA Guidance on OPRA)