New strategic partnership with UKEireSpill

The Individual Spill Qualification Scheme

This partnership serves as the foundational step for a new Individual Spill Qualification Scheme, which will be developed and administered through the UK and Ireland Spill Association and International Spill Accreditation Scheme.

The scheme directly responds to growing demands from across the sector, most notably from insurers and regulators, for an independent, rigorous validation of individual competency around spill management. To date, competency has been provided at a company level for organisations accredited via the International Spill Accreditation Scheme. The new scheme will offer external, standardised benchmarks for individuals, providing a transferable demonstration of competence, experience and professionalism equivalent to other sectors in the environmental sciences.

Defining career pathways

The qualification scheme is designed to provide clear, professional career trajectories for both marine and inland responders. To achieve these industry-first certifications, candidates will navigate a structured pathway that integrates specialised spill response training with robust environmental accreditation.

As a core component of the qualification route, applicants will undertake one of three professional registrations through the IES, aligned with their experience level:

Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech)
Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP)
Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)

So that the specific needs of the spill industry are met whilst maintaining the rigorous standards required for the professional registers, the assessment of applications will be completed jointly by assessors provided via UKEireSpill and the IES. To ensure the highest standards of ongoing professional excellence, candidates and qualified individuals will be required to record their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in the IES CPD tool.

Leader reaction

"This partnership is a significant step forward for the spill response sector”, said Adam Donnan, IES CEO. "By combining the IES's deep expertise in land contamination, marine science and professional registration with UKEireSpill’s unmatched industry knowledge, we are defining what it means to be a competent professional in spill response."

Richard Baker, Executive Director of the International Spill Accreditation Scheme, said: “The spill response and remediation sector is made up of skilled, dedicated professionals committed to preventing and minimising the effects of harmful pollution incidents. Yet the sector has lacked a clear, dedicated pathway to recognise that expertise, and many practitioners have struggled to align their experience with existing registration schemes. I am delighted that UKEireSpill and IES have formed this strategic partnership to meet a long-standing need.”

“Responding to pollution incidents offers a rewarding and meaningful career, with unique opportunities to protect both the environment and public health worldwide,” said Mark Orr, Executive Director of the UK & Ireland Spill Association. “The new scheme is designed to recognise the expertise of those already working in the sector, ensure continuing professional development in a changing risk environment and to encourage others to join this exciting industry.”

Header image: Michal via Adobe Stock