Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control), No.75 (as amended)

Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, known as the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), was adopted on November 24, 2010. This directive is a key component of EU environmental legislation aimed at reducing pollution from industrial activities. It consolidates and revises several previous directives into a single, coherent instrument focused on integrated pollution prevention and control.

Purpose:

‍The purpose of the IED is to minimize pollution from various industrial sources across the EU. It aims to achieve a high level of protection for the environment as a whole by reducing harmful industrial emissions, particularly those affecting air, water, and land, and by promoting the use of best available techniques (BAT).

Requirements:

1. Permitting: Industrial facilities covered by the directive must obtain permits from national authorities. These permits should include conditions based on BAT to ensure that pollution is minimized.
2. Best Available Techniques (BAT): The directive requires the use of BAT, which are defined through a collaborative process involving member states and industries. BAT reference documents (BREFs) describe the techniques, associated monitoring, and levels of performance to be achieved.
3. Regular Monitoring and Reporting: Facilities are required to regularly monitor their emissions and report the results to the competent authorities to ensure compliance with the permit conditions.
4. Site Remediation: Upon closure or significant alteration of an industrial site, operators must take measures to return the site to a satisfactory state, considering its previous condition and future use.
5. Emission Limit Values (ELVs): The directive sets ELVs for various pollutants, which must be met by industries to control emissions to air, water, and land.

Who They Apply To:

• Large Industrial Installations: The IED primarily targets large industrial installations involved in activities like energy industries, metal production and processing, mineral industry, chemical production, waste management, and intensive livestock farming, among others.
• Competent Authorities: National authorities are responsible for issuing permits, monitoring compliance, and enforcing the requirements of the directive.
• Operators of Industrial Sites: Operators are responsible for ensuring that their facilities operate within the conditions set out in their permits and for applying BAT to minimize emissions.

The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) is instrumental in ensuring that industrial production within the EU operates within stringent environmental standards, thereby helping to protect the environment and improve the quality of life for EU citizens.

Directive 2010/75/EU, commonly referred to as the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), establishes comprehensive evidence requirements to ensure that industrial installations across the European Union comply with environmental standards. These requirements are critical for enforcing the directive’s provisions on reducing industrial emissions and promoting the use of Best Available Techniques (BAT). Here’s a summary of the key evidence requirements:

1. Permit Applications:
   • Operators must submit detailed applications for permits, including descriptions of the installation’s design, location, operating conditions, raw materials, energy efficiency, emission sources, and measures for preventing and reducing emissions. These applications must demonstrate how BAT will be applied.
2. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs):
   • For new installations or significant changes to existing installations, EIAs are required. These assessments provide evidence of the potential environmental impacts and propose measures to mitigate these impacts.
3. Monitoring Data:
   • Continuous monitoring of emissions to air, water, and land is required. Operators must regularly collect and analyze data on specific pollutants identified in their permits. This data must be maintained and made accessible to regulatory authorities for compliance verification.
4. BAT Reference Documents (BREFs) Compliance:
   • Operators must provide evidence that they are using BAT as outlined in the relevant BREFs. This includes technological details, operational practices, and emission levels achieved compared to the BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs).
5. Reporting Requirements:
   • Regular reporting to competent authorities is mandatory. Reports must include comprehensive monitoring data, deviations from permit conditions, and any significant environmental incidents. Annual reports and reviews may also be required to assess overall compliance and environmental performance.
6. Management Systems:
   • Evidence of effective environmental management systems (EMS) must be provided. These systems should be capable of ensuring compliance with environmental laws, permit conditions, and ongoing pollution prevention.
7. Closure and Remediation Plans:
   • Upon closure or decommissioning of an installation, operators must submit plans for site remediation. Evidence must be provided that the site will be returned to a state that avoids any significant pollution or risk to human health.

The evidence requirements of the IED are designed to enforce strict control over industrial emissions, ensuring that installations operate in an environmentally responsible manner and contribute to the EU’s broader environmental and health objectives.