Industrial emissions

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2010/75/EU — on industrial emissions

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It lays down rules to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce industrial emissions into air, water and land and to prevent the generation of waste, in order to achieve a high level of environmental protection.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The legislation covers industrial activities in the following sectors:
- energy;
- metal production and processing;
- minerals;
- chemicals;
- waste management;
- and other sectors such as pulp and paper production, slaughterhouses and the intensive rearing of poultry and pigs.
All installations covered by the directive must prevent and reduce pollution by applying the best available techniques (BATs)* and address efficient energy use, waste prevention and management and measures to prevent accidents and limit their consequences.

Permits

The installations can only operate if in possession of a permit and have to comply with the conditions set therein.
Permit conditions are based on the BAT conclusions adopted by the European Commission.
- Emission limit values must be set at a level that ensures pollutant emissions do not exceed the levels associated with the use of BATs, unless it is proven that this would lead to disproportionate costs compared to environmental benefits.
National authorities are required to conduct regular inspections of the installations.

Specific rules

The directive sets down minimum requirements for specific sectors in separate chapters. It includes specific rules relating to:

combustion plants — operating aspects, emission limits, monitoring and compliance rules;
waste incineration plants and waste co-incineration plants — operating requirements, emissions limits, monitoring and compliance rules;
installations and activities using organic solvents — includes emission limits, reduction schemes and requirements to substitute hazardous substances;
installations producing titanium dioxide — sets emission limits, monitoring rules, and bans the disposal of certain forms of waste into any body of water.

Repeal

The directive repeals and replaces 7 previously existing directives: the Integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) Directive (Directive 2008/1/EC), the Large Combustion Plants Directive (Directive 2001/80/EC), the Waste Incineration Directive (Directive 2000/76/EC), the Solvents Emissions Directive (Directive 1999/13/EC) and 3 directives on Titanium Dioxide (78/176/EEC, 82/883/EEC, 92/112/EEC).

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 6 January 2011 and had to become law in the EU countries by 7 January 2013.

BACKGROUND

Directive 2011/92/EU sets out the rules for environmental impact assessments of a wide range of public and private projects — see summary.
For further information, see:
- Industrial emissions (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Best available techniques (BATs): the most effective techniques for preventing or reducing emissions that are technically feasible and economically viable within the sector.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (recast) (OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17-119)

Successive amendments to Directive 2010/75/EU have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.