Overview - The Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)

The IPPC Directive (IPPCD) (Council Directive 2008/1/EC) aims to minimise pollution from various industrial activities throughout the European Union. Operators of certain industrial installations covered by the IPPC Directive are required to obtain an environmental permit from the authorities in the EU countries. These environmental permits provide operational measures to control emissions to the environment. About 52,000 installations are covered by the IPPCD in the European Union (EU).

The objective of the IPPCD is outlined in Article 1 as achieving a high level of protection of the environment through measures to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions to air, water and land from activities listed in Annex I of the Directive. Member States must put into place a system requiring operators of certain industrial installations to prevent, or reduce pollution from their operation.

The operator has to apply to the regulatory authority for a permit before operations can commence. IPPC applies to installations and requires permit conditions to be reviewed, but does not specify how frequently this is to be done.
Operators must demonstrate that they will use "best available techniques" (BAT) to prevent or reduce pollution. The detail of the concept of BAT is defined in Article 2, including the aspects of costs and advantages. The Directive also requires the best overall protection of the environment. Requirements higher than BAT must be imposed if that is necessary to comply with a quality standard governing an environmental medium into which the installation in question discharges.
IPPC covers installations in the Energy Industries, Production and Processing of Metals, Mineral Industries, the Chemical Industry, Waste Management (including larger landfill sites), and Other industrial activities (including food and drink and intensive pig and poultry farming).
The Directive controls decommissioning of installations as well as their operation.
IPPC makes no allowance for triviality, but does allow for the provision of general binding rules (GBRs).
There is also a requirement to consult other member states where the operation of an installation is likely to have significant negative effects on the environment of another member state.
IPPC addresses immediate effects on land, air and water, and also requires consideration of the following:

consideration of the condition of the site when an installation closes - measures must be taken to avoid any pollution risk and return the site of operation to a satisfactory state when operations at that site cease;
where waste is produced it is to be recovered, or where this is not technically and economically feasible it must be disposed of avoiding or reducing the impact on the environment;
measures must be taken to prevent accidents and limit the consequences, and to promote energy efficiency;
Noise;
Energy efficiency; and
Raw materials efficiency

In Scotland and Northern Ireland the Directive requirements are implemented through the Pollution Prevention and Control regime. In England and Wales the Directive requirements are implemented through the Environmental Permitting regime

On 21 December 2007 the EC adopted a Proposal for a Directive on Industrial Emissions (IE(IPPC)D). The Proposal recasts seven existing Directives related to industrial emissions into a single clear and coherent legislative instrument. The recast includes in particular the IPPCD.

The Environment Agency contains guidance on IPPC.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also provides information on IPPC.

The Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), (Directive 96/61/EC)