Reference: 2008/1/EC
Last Update: 07/10/2011
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING: INTEGRATED POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (consolidated version 2008/1/EC) requires installations in various industry sectors to apply for and operate under permits that aim to protect the environment as a whole.
Industry sectors covered include: combustion activities, refineries, ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, surface treatment, mineral production including glass and ceramics, organic and inorganic chemical production, pharmaceuticals, waste management, paper and food industries. A 2011 amendment has also introduced carbon capture and storage to the sectors covered.
The Directive is implemented through the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. Schedule 1 to the regulations outlines activities covered by the regime.
Those obligated must make a ‘Duly Made’ (on time, with the correct fee and containing all necessary information) application to the appropriate Regulator.
Existing installations were required to apply for a permit dependent upon their activity, in accordance with a sector specific transitional timetable from 1st December 2000 to 31st March 2007. New installations must obtain a permit before operations commence.
In their applications, companies are required to show how they comply with sector specific Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the protection for the environment in their operations and justify any deviation from them. They are also required to disclose other general information about environmental performance such as: emissions, raw materials use, waste generation, energy use, preparedness for accidents and decommissioning. Applicants are also required to submit a report detailing the existing condition of the land with their applications.
Once the application has been made, it will be determined by the Regulator and a permit issued. The permit will contain conditions which companies are required to comply with during operations. Companies wishing to make changes to their operations or surrender their permit must apply to do so via their regulator and pay the appropriate associated fee.
The European Commission are debating whether to tighten the regime; in particular looking at stricter mandatory emission limits on NOx and SOx from new large combustion plants.
A 2011 amendment implements changes to this section of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 to reflect changes that have been made in respect of carbon capture and storage to Directive 2008/1/EC. ‘Carbon capture and storage’ is introduced into Schedule 1. A Part A (1) permit is required for capturing carbon dioxide streams from an installation for the purposes of geological storage.
The EA has recently produced updated guidance on how to comply with your environmental permit.
Last Update: 09/11/2010
By: Waterman
Applicability
The Detergent Plant at the Fabricated Examples Ltd site is an obligated process and falls under Section 4.1 Part A (1) (xi) of Schedule 1 of the IPPC Directive for the manufacture of surface active agents.
The company were issued with a permit (no. EA12345FEL) from the Environment Agency in March 2007. During the audit it was revealed that the company have not submitted a Site Protection and Monitoring Program to the Environment Agency. This must be completed as an immediate priority and Fabricated Examples must contact their local inspector to arrange a submission date.
The company must also ensure that they monitor and report on the installation in line with the requirements of the permit and complete all improvement programs within the timescales specified.
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