IPPC

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

The aim of the IPPC Directive is to prevent or reduce pollution of the atmosphere, water or soil to ensure high levels of environmental protection. It was set up by the European Commission in 1996 and applies to all countries in the EU. Industrial or agricultural activities with a high pollution potential must be issued with a permit from the Environment Agency and their Local Authority. To be issued with a permit certain environmental conditions must be met, which therefore requires companies to be responsible for reducing and preventing pollution they may cause.

In 2007 the Commission decided to merge the current IPPC Directive with a further six sectoral Directives. The new Directive tightens emission limits in certain industrial sectors and extends the scope of the legislation so that it covers other polluting activities. The date for this new version of the Directive to come into effect is still to be decided.