News

CIP Construction Environmental Manual gets an update

The CIP Construction Environmental Manual has been updated, and the amendment packs are now available to buy. CIP Knowledge, the online Manual, is all up-to-date with the latest guidance, helping UK construction companies comply with environmental legislation and build effective policies and guidance.

Construction Industry Publications (CIP) continues to work with Build UK to ensure the Manuals include industry recognised environmental policies and standards. To this end CIP works with both Build UK Contractor and Trade Associations Members, including Wates and Willmott Dixon.

This integrated approach aims to improve the knowledge and practices of those on site without duplicating information or publishing conflicting advice.

The latest update to the CIP Construction Environmental Manual includes the following:

  • Information on the new April 2026 edition of BS EN ISO 14001
  • A note on the use of Restriction Orders by the Environment Agency
  • Guidance on the use of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard following the launch in March 2026
  • A new section on the prevention of the spread of Oak Processionary Moth
  • The information on the Pallet LOOP™ scheme has been updated
  • A new section on the Quality Protocol for aggregate from waste steel slag has been added and guidance on other Quality Protocols updated
  • The Standards to be used with regard the nuisance of vibration is clarified
  • In the Waste section the differing authorisations required in Scotland for transporting waste are identified; there is a minor update in requirements for exemption U11 Spreading waste on non-agricultural land is noted; the general information on Quality Protocols is updated; information on the introduction of the first phase of digital waste tracking in Wales and Scotland; and the newly issued RPS325 Using unbound IBAA in construction, that replaces the now withdrawn RPS247, is detailed along with various minor updates including the current rates of landfill tax
  • In the Water Section, new guidance on climate change and water management has been added; updated guidance on Nitrates and Phosphates within Water (Nutrient Neutrality); the requirement for SuDS to be incorporated in all new developments and for BNG to be considered in relation to the water environment is noted; revised guidance on the requirements for carrying out, without an abstraction licence, small scale dewatering during construction works and RPS 368 Small-scale Abstractions for Construction Dewatering issued by the EA in England has been added along with various minor updating including the requirements for a permit or exemption when working on a main river or watercourse

“A must for everyone in construction”

Neil Rosiak, Member of the Drafting Panel and HSE Director of Build UK member Tilbury Douglas Construction, said:

“For good practical up to date advice on environmental matters, the  Manual is a must for everyone involved in construction. Working with Build UK will ensure it is even more relevant on a day-to-day basis as the ‘go to’ source of information for all things environment. It will also keep the manual up to date with industry practices and provide the more collaborative approach we all want.”
The Construction Environmental Manual has been written to help people working in the construction industry to make environmental and sustainable improvements in the construction industry. It is recognised that this guidance contains some advice that may go further than the minimum needed to comply with the law.

The text is strictly monitored by an editorial panel of Environmental Experts who check its content for accuracy and topicality. The manual is designed in a loose-leaf format so that it can easily be updated, and amendments and new sections are normally published twice a year and are available to manual owners who pay a subscription. By signing up to the automatic subscription service you will receive each update twice yearly automatically.

The Manual is also available on USB and online at www.cip-knowledge.com