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That is a good point: we need consistency across the country. There is a role for the Scottish Government to play in that, and there is also a role for COSLA and the providers of these non-cosmetic procedures. I hope that that will be pulled together to ensure that we have consistent regulations across Scotland.

As we have been going through this process, the importance of public awareness has been highlighted. It is fair to say that people assumed that this area was already regulated. The coverage that the committee has been creating in taking evidence and what has been in the media—whether that is radio, television or print—is all very important and has helped to move us along on this journey.

It is fair to say that a lot of the advertising for these types of treatments comes through social media, and the Scottish Government will look to share messages at the appropriate time on those same channels. I think that awareness is very important; indeed, you took very strong evidence on the issue in your evidence gathering for the bill.

11:15

What we are looking at is licensing. I will turn to Owen Griffiths to give you a response to that question.

If there is national guidance, we expect it to be followed consistently. However, as I said in response to previous questions from Elena Whitham, that will involve a collaborative approach with local authorities and COSLA to ensure that we get the right information out in the right places.

That is an important question, and we will be working with the local authorities and COSLA to ensure that, if a temporary licence is permitted, it will be for only a specific length of time, and that the guidelines set out the right procedures for firming up such licences. That will be in the interests of the local authorities as well as the consumer, because it will mean that they will get the resources to continue to monitor and regulate these matters.

That is an important question. We must be absolutely clear that the process is safe. Once hydrolysis has taken place, the liquid is removed, cooled and treated, and there is a full heat and rinse of the chamber. The liquid is then safely discharged into the water treatment network. The liquid contains no solids, only natural compounds such as proteins, peptides, sugars and salts, and it is sterile, with no DNA going into the water system. That explains why we must ensure that Scottish Water and SEPA are content with the process, and it ensures that only sterile water goes into the water system.

I am pleased to join the committee to discuss two sets of regulations on hydrolysis, which are being made under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. If you are content to pass the regulations, Scotland will be the first country in the United Kingdom to be able to offer hydrolysis as an alternative to burial or cremation.

Hydrolysis has been gaining popularity and has become more widely available in other countries. In Scotland, our intention is not to replace burial or cremation; rather, hydrolysis will be offered as an additional choice for those who wish to consider it.

The two sets of regulations are linked. The Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No 1) Regulations 2026 will apply to hydrolysis the provisions of the 2016 act that relate to cremation, subject to some changes to key terms. They will also make textual amendments to the 2016 act so that it will reflect three options for the disposal of human remains. Those regulations build on the legislative framework that is set out in the 2016 act.

The Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No 2) Regulations 2026 are similar to the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019. They set out the statutory framework for the management and operation of hydrolysis facilities, the application forms to be used for hydrolysis and the information to be recorded in registers of hydrolysis. They also set out clear requirements and procedures for the recovery, handling and return of hydrolysis powder, which will be the same as the ashes-handling procedures following cremation that are set out in the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019. The statutory requirements for the handling of powder will apply to hydrolysis authorities and funeral directors in line with instructions from the applicant.

As is the case with cremation, the regulations will form one part of the wider regulatory oversight by a number of bodies. Those that wish to set up as a hydrolysis authority will need to obtain various consents in advance and will be subject to on-going legislative requirements. First, Scottish Water will need to grant trade effluent consent as well as having an on-going role in overseeing and monitoring the liquid from hydrolysis facilities. Where the location of the facility means that there is no access to a public drain, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, rather than Scottish Water, will need to give consent and regulate the discharge of the liquid into the environment.

Secondly, a planning application will need to be submitted to the planning authority to adapt existing premises or to open a new facility. The planning application process will consider the location, visual impact and impact on local infrastructure such as access and transport links.

In addition, Scottish Government-appointed inspectors of hydrolysis will have to approve a hydrolysis facility before the hydrolysis authority will be able to accept applications.

That network of oversight will ensure that the high standards that the public can expect in cremation will apply to hydrolysis. I look forward to answering any questions that the committee may have.

Those liquids are stored within the facilities alongside acids that can be used to neutralise them.

As I said to Mr Whittle, there is a sterilisation process once the water cremation or hydrolysis has taken place. The remaining liquid that is then released into the system is free of toxins, DNA and proteins.

Happy new year to you, too, Ms Mackay. Your question about uptake is a really good and interesting one. The conversations that I have had have ranged from some people being really interested in the process to others being less so, which I suppose is human nature. That is why it is important to underline that hydrolysis will not replace either burial or cremation but is another option.

I understand from conversations that I have had, through the Parliament’s cross-party group on funerals and bereavement, that a number of funeral directors are interested in hydrolysis. If there is that interest, and given that the method is being used across the world, including in South Africa, in Australia and, more recently, in Ireland, I imagine that there will be a demand for it.