{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/environment-act-2021/schedule-1/paragraph-17",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/environment-act-2021/schedule-1/paragraph-17.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2021/30",
  "legislation_title": "Environment Act 2021",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/environment-act-2021",
  "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/17",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "17",
  "heading": "Independence of the OEP",
  "text": "In exercising functions in respect of the OEP, the Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Department must have regard to the need to protect its independence.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 1 para. 17 inserted (28.2.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), s. 147(6)(7), Sch. 3 para. 29(10) (with s. 144); S.R. 2022/54, art. 2(1)(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "Sch. 1 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I2",
      "text": "Sch. 1 para. 17 in force at 17.11.2021 by S.I. 2021/1274, reg. 2(i)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/30/schedule/1/paragraph/17",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T08:58:04.548359+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}