Consultation on the European Commission’s proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast)
Defra
Industrial Pollution Control
Area 3C, Ergon House
17 Smith Square
London,SW1P 3JR
29 May 2008
Dear Consultee
Consultation on the European Commission’s proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast)
I am writing to invite views on the substantive amendments in the European Commission’s proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast).
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) applies to about 45,000 industrial installations in the EU (about 4,000 in the UK), ranging from refineries to breweries and from intensive pig farms to cement works. It requires each installation to have a permit containing emission limit values and other conditions based on the application of best available technique (BAT) and set to minimise emissions of pollutants likely to be emitted in significant quantities to air, water or land. Permit conditions also have to address energy efficiency, waste minimisation, prevention of accidental emissions, and site restoration.
The Commission launched in November 2005 a review of the IPPC Directive. The general objective of the review was stated as `to evaluate the scope to improve the functioning of the Directive and its interaction with other legislation, in particular related to industrial emissions, while not altering the main underlying principles and the level of ambition set in the Directive’.
The review culminated in the publication on 21 December 2007 of a Commission Communication accompanying the Commission’s proposal for a Directive `on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control)(recast), which in turn was accompanied by an impact assessment.
The consultation document may be found on Defra’s website: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/emissions-greybits/
We welcome your views and comments on the substantive amendments in the European Commission’s proposals. They will inform the development of a formal UK Government position for use as the co-decision process advances through the autumn and winter of 2008 and thereafter. We have launched three other consultation documents concerning the European Commissions proposals, which will run simultaneously with this one. They are concerned with the proposed changes to regulation of:
(i) combustion plants: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/emissions-combustion/
(ii) intensive livestock installations: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/emissions-intensivelivestock/
(iii) various other activities: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/emissions-other/
Please send responses to: David Demain, Industrial Pollution Control, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Area 3C, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square,
London SW1P 3JR, (Tel.: 020 7238 1687).
Or email: control.pollution@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Responses should be received by 25 July 2008.
In line with Defra’s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive may be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resources Centre. The information they contain may also be published in a summary of responses.
If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request.
You should also be aware that there may be circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.
The Information Resource Centre will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (Tel: 020 7238 6575; mail to: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, callers should give the library at least 24 hours notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.
If you wish to make a complaint, or query the consultation process, please write to: Marjorie Addo, Consultation Co-ordinator, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Zone 7C, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, or email: consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk
A copy of the Government Code on Consultations has been published by the Cabinet Office. A copy can be obtained from: www.berr.gov.uk/bre/consultation%20guidance/page44459.html
Thank you for your help in this matter. If you have any queries please contact us as above.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Vincent
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Page published: 29 May 2008