Energy Services


Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control ( IPPC )

Changes from IPC to IPPC
Applying for a Permit
Operating an installation under an IPPC permit

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) is a system following the European Community Directive (96/61) which will introduce a more integrated approach to controlling pollution from industrial sources, across England and Wales during 2001-2007 than was in place via Integrated Pollution Control (IPC)legislation. The legislation will eventually affect some 6,000 installations by 2007.

The main aim of IPPC is to achieve a high level of protection of the environment taken as a whole by, in particular, preventing or, where that is not practicable, reducing emissions into the air water and land.

Changes from IPC to IPPC TOP

IPPC takes a wider range of environmental impacts into account than IPC. The current system of IPC regulates emissions to land, water and air. The IPPC regime will additionally take into account; waste avoidance or minimisation, energy efficiency, accident avoidance and minimisation of noise, heat and vibrations. These aims will achieve a higher level of protection as a whole.

IPPC applies to a wider range of industries than IPC. These industries include all installations that are currently regulated under IPC, some installations currently under LAPC, and some installations that are not currently under either regime such as: landfill sites, intensive agriculture, large pig and poultry units, and food and drink manufacturers.

Under IPPC regulated industries are referred to as 'installations' as opposed to 'processes' which is the term used for IPC. This change in terminology enables a more integrated approach to regulation; a whole installation must be permitted rather than just individual processes within the installation.

Guidelines to establish what constitutes Best Available Techniques (BAT) are to be published by the European Commission's IPPC Bureau. These reference notes are known as BREF notes and will provide the basis for national guidance by industrial sector. The reference notes will be ready within the next few years. In the intervening period guidance that already exists from IPC and LAPC will continue to be used, with supplementary guidance provided by the Environment Agency to cover new issues (for example energy efficiency, site remediation and noise). Industry sectors not previously regulated under the Environment Protection Act 1990 such as intensive farming and food and drink installations will be covered by interim guidance.

Once issued, permits for IPPC are to be reviewed periodically in addition to any updating which is made necessary by technological or other changes.

Applying for a Permit TOP

Operators of installations under IPPC have to apply for a permit from the Regulator (the Environment Agency or Local Authority). They must consider all the environmental impacts associated with the installation when preparing the application. This often involves physical site tests to evaluate the levels of noise, odour, gaseous and liquid emissions as well as levels of substrate pollution.

Applications for permits have to undergo a public consultation; the operator is required to advertise the application in one or more local papers and in the London Gazette. Statutory Consultees and the public are required to submit their comments during the consultation process.

Once the consultation period is over the Regulator considers all the representations reviewed and will either grant the permit subject to conditions or reject the application.

Operating an installation under an IPPC permit TOP

  • All appropriate preventative measures are taken against pollution, in particular through application of Best Available Techniques
  • No significant pollution is caused.
  • Waste production is avoided and where waste is produced, it is recovered. Where that is not possible it is disposed of in a way producing the least impact on the environment, if any impact is produced at all.
  • Energy is used efficiently.
  • Measures are taken to avoid accidents and limit their consequences.
  • Necessary measures are taken on the closure of an installation to avoid any pollution risk and return the site to a satisfactory condition.
  • On-going monitoring of emissions and provision of data to the Regulator required checking compliance with the permit.
  • The Regulator has to undertake independent monitoring and inspections of the installation to check compliance with the set emission limits.
  • Specific conditions may apply to individual installations that the Regulator considers appropriate to ensure a high level of protection to the environment as a whole.
  • If the Regulator believes that the operator is breaching the conditions of a permit, enforcement options are available where: enforcement, suspension or a revocation notice can be served. It is illegal to continue to operate an installation without a valid permit

energyTEAM will be pleased to help you in a number of ways:-

  • Permit application services
  • Project management of required site tests
  • On-going support