Aim of the survey

This survey is designed to collect information from businesses on how much they spend on protecting the environment. Between 1999 and 2014 the survey was run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). There is a significant demand from UK government departments for this information. Results from the survey will be used to calculate UK environmental protection measures.

What you need to know

To complete the survey, you will need the following information:

  • operating Environmental Protection Expenditure Costs
  • capital Environmental Protection Expenditure
  • disposals of Environmental Protection Capital Assets

All information you provide is strictly confidential.

Survey information

Selection criteria: UK trading businesses registered for Value Added Tax and/or Paye as You Earn (PAYE)

Population: UK business by SIC which are the following:

  • mining and quarrying (B)
  • manufacturing (C)
  • electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (D)
  • water collection (E 36)

Sample: approximately 3,000 UK businesses

Frequency: annual

Dispatch date: 26 September
Return-by date: 14 December

Please note that the dispatch and return-by dates are a guide, they are subject to change due to national holidays and weekends.

Why you were selected

Your business has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE, or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.

The Survey of Environmental Protection Expenditure is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Once selected, your business is legally obliged to comply. You cannot appeal your selection.

Why you have received this survey

We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy. We select large businesses (those with 100 plus employees) for any relevant ONS business surveys because their information is so significant.

We select some small and medium businesses, usually for a set period of time then replace them with other businesses from their industry. They are very important to us as their trading patterns are often very different to large businesses.

How to complete this survey

Your letter explains how to complete this survey online. Please use your unique enrolment code to report your information.

Complete this survey online

If you need help

If your question is not answered on this page, you may be able to find the answer in the About ONS business surveys section.

You can call us on +44 1633 651890. Please quote the three-digit survey ID 147.

Er mwyn gwneud cais am ffurflen Gymraeg (to speak to someone in Welsh): 0300 1234 921.