Visitor, welcome to your CL:AIRE eAlert for February.
Highlights this month include the new Defra PFAS Plan, setting out how government will work to better understand and manage PFAS risks, the refreshed BS 10175:2026 standard for land contamination investigation, plus new NORAC/JIWG guidance to help clarify how asbestos in soil should be assessed. In Europe, we note that tougher rules on water pollutants have now been adopted, with a final vote on the associated directive due in March. Several consultations are now open across the UK - we always encourage active participation - so please do take up the invitation to share your views.
Our Members' networking event in Bristol is now fast approaching. We have 50 registrations (and counting!) spanning the breadth of our wonderful membership and four excellent sponsors. Special thanks to DDE Remediation Solutions Limited, Geosyntec Consultants Ltd., Remedia Group Ltd., UK Remediation for their support. If you'd like to join us as our final event sponsor, please do get in touch. You can look forward to relaxed networking, great visibility with a company spotlight, and up to five attendee places plus a guest invite. Our members comment that it's an easy, warm way to connect with the community and showcase your brand.
See you there!
The CL:AIRE Team
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| At a glance- Last opportunity to book your place at the CL:AIRE Members Networking event in Bristol
- Only one sponsorship slot left
- GPVS applications close on 28 Feb
- National Planning Policy Framework consultation closes on 10 March
- 2026 Training courses: Places filling fast
- Defra publishes PFAS policy paper
- New BS 10175:2026 published
- NORAC and JIWG publishes technical guidance for asbestos in soil
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Defra publishes PFAS policy paper On 3 February 2026, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) published PFAS Plan: building a safer future. This is a cross-government, science-led plan to understand impacts of PFAS on public health and the environment, with coordinated actions to minimise risks. To read the PFAS Plan click here. | New BS 10175:2026 published on the investigation of potentially contaminated sites On 28 January 2026, BSI published BS 10175:2026 Investigation of potentially contaminated sites – Code of practice. It supersedes BS 10175:2011+A2:2017, which is withdrawn.
BS 10175:2026 gives recommendations for, and guidance on, the investigation of land potentially affected by contamination and land with naturally elevated concentrations of potentially harmful substances, to determine or manage any risks.
In order to obtain scientifically robust data on soil, groundwater, surface water and ground gas contamination the document covers: setting the objectives of an investigation; developing a strategy for the investigation; designing the different phases of the investigation; sampling and field testing; laboratory analysis; and reporting.
BSI has written an article to explain more about the changes. Click to read BS 10175: How the UK's key standard for contaminated land has evolved to meet modern needs. | | NORAC and JIWG publishes technical guidance for asbestos in soil National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants (NORAC) and Joint Industry Working Group on Asbestos in Soil and Construction & Demolition Materials (JIWG) have teamed up to release a new technical guidance document for asbestos in soils. The technical guidance note provides important clarifications with respect to the investigation and hazard/risk assessment of land contaminated with dispersed asbestos fibres and fragments of asbestos-containing materials. Download the guide here. | European Council signs off stricter protection rules for surface water and groundwater The European Council has formally adopted the directive on updating the list of pollutants affecting surface water and groundwater, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and PFAS. The revised rules also tighten environmental standards for several substances and strengthen monitoring across the European Union. The directive amends the water framework directive, the groundwater directive and the directive on environmental quality standards, aligning European Union water policy with the latest scientific evidence. Read more for further information here.
The European Parliament is expected to hold the final vote on the directive by the end of March 2026. | RemTech Europe 2026 call for abstracts is now open RemTech Europe 2026 International Conference and Exhibition on land and water remediation markets and technologies is scheduled for 14 - 18 September 2026. The first two dates of the conference 14 -15 September will be fully digital. The 16 -18 September will be hybrid. The conference is free to attend. The call for abstracts is now open with the deadline 31 March 2026. The call for abstract details are available here. To register to attend the conference, please follow the link. | | | | |
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Industry Events | - IES - Land Condition Symposium, 5 March, Leeds
- YCLF Advances in Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation, 6 March, Sheffield
- CIEEM 2026 Spring Conference, 11 March, Birmingham
- NCLOG & IES Webinar: RBKC Lead (Pb) Modelling Tool, 12 March, Online
- CIOB Wales Construction Cymru Conference, 17 March, Swansea
- CL:AIRE Members' Networking Event, 19 March, Bristol
- Homebuilding & Renovating Show, 19-22 March, Birmingham
- AGS Annual Conference 2026, 19 March, London
- SoBRA Early Careers lunchtime webinar, 24 March, Online
- CIWM Resource Conference Cymru 2026, 25 March, Cardiff
- SiLC Annual Forum, 26 March, Online
To add your event, please write to us.
| | CL:AIRE WebinarsExplore our webinar library here.
Hot Topics: Definition of Waste Code of Practice, Gas Protection Verification, Piling and Ground Improvement on Contaminated Land, Risk Assessment for Coal Mine Gas Emissions, Sustainable Remediation
| | |  Click for Water and Land Library | | |
| Training Courses | - DoWCoP, 4 March, Reading (FULL); 18 March, Leeds (only 5 places left). Other dates and locations available.
- Good Practice for Risk assessment for Coal Mine Gas Emissions, 15 & 16 April, Online (only 4 places left)
- Introduction to Human Health Quantitative Risk Assessment, 21 April, Reading
- Non-Licensed Work for Land Professionals, 23 April, Reading (only 6 places left)
- Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling, 6 May, Reading (only 3 places left)
- Developing Advanced Conceptual Models for Contaminated Sites, 7 May, Reading
- Ground Gas Risk Assessment - more than calculating a GSV, 12 May, Reading
- Managing contaminated sites using MNA & NSZD, 19 May, Reading
- Introduction to Controlled Waters Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment, 3 June (only 3 places left)
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| | CL:AIRE Membership | CL:AIRE works with its Members to raise awareness and pursue shared objectives in land, water and environmental management.
Together we collect strategic industry information and develop industry initiatives that improve efficiency, raise standards, and save money. |
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We would like to thank the following new and renewing members for their support:
- Principal Members: RSK Group, Soilflo, Tetra Tech
- Supporter Members: Coopers, FCC Environment, Intelligent Financial Services, SoilSteam International
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CL:AIRE is a respected independent not-for-profit organisation established in 1999 to stimulate the regeneration of land in the UK by raising awareness of, and confidence in, practical and sustainable remediation solutions.
You are receiving this email newsletter as you are currently registered with CL:AIRE. Log in to the CL:AIRE website to update your profile details or Modify your subscription . View our privacy policy here. | | CL:AIRE is a registered charity (No. 1075611) and an incorporated company, limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (reg no. 3740059)
CL:AIRE Initiatives Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of CL:AIRE registered in England & Wales (reg no. 13628954)
Reading Business Centre Fountain House, Queens Walk, Reading, England, RG1 7QF
+44 (0)118 228 1488 | enquiries@claire.co.uk |
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