The Industrial Emissions Directive lays down rules on integrated prevention and control of pollution arising from industrial activities.
It also lays down rules designed to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions into air, water and land to prevent the generation of waste, in order to achieve a high level of protection of the environment taken as a whole.
A new type of licence has been introduced that can be granted by the Environmental Protection Agency called an Industrial Emissions Licence. The licence is required to refer to the complete environmental performance of the plant including emissions to air, water and land, generation of waste, use of raw materials, energy efficiency, noise, prevention of accidents and restoration of the site upon closure.
In summary the categories of industry coming within the scope of Industrial Emissions licensing are:
- Minerals and Other Materials
- Energy
- Metals
- Mineral Fibres and Glass
- Chemicals
- Intensive Agriculture (poultry and pigs)
- Food and Drink
- Wood, Paper, Textiles and Leather
- Fossil Fuels
- Cement, Lime and Magnesium Oxide
- Waste
- Surface Coatings
- Other Activities (includes testing of engines, manufacture of printed circuit boards, production of lime, the manufacture of ceramic products, the capture of CO2 streams and treatment of waste water)
Some of the classes are subject to thresholds. Any person carrying on an activity that is below a threshold must ensure that they do not exceed that threshold without first obtaining an Industrial Emissions licence and also must ensure that the activity is correctly authorised.
For more information click here.
For information relating to industrial installations located in Limerick which are licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency click here.