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Prevention and control of industrial emissions

Industrial activities play an important role in the economic well-being of Europe contributing to sustainable growth but can also have a significant impact on the environment.

The largest industrial installations account for a considerable share of total emissions of key atmospheric pollutants and also have other important environmental impacts, including emissions to water and soil, generation of waste and the use of energy. Environmental impacts of industrial installations have therefore been subject to EU-wide legislation for some time. The following main pieces of legislation currently apply:

• Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions (IED): This establishes the main principles for permitting and control of large industrial installations based on an integrated approach and the application of best available techniques (BAT). BAT is the most effective techniques to achieve a high level of environmental protection, taking into account the costs and benefits.
• Directive (EU) 2015/2193 on medium combustion plants (MCPD): The MCPD regulates emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust from the combustion of fuels in plants with a rated thermal input between 1 and 50 MW thermal.
• Directive 1994/63/EC and Directive 2009/126/EC on petrol storage & distribution: These related directives reduce volatile organic compound emissions to the atmosphere by imposing measures on storage and distribution of petrol.
• Regulation 166/2006 on the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register: This register gives public access to detailed information on the emissions and the off-site transfers of pollutants and waste from around 30 000 industrial facilities.

Successes in reducing industrial emissions

Specific case studies provide evidence of progress towards cleaner industry and improved environmental quality. A number of these successes are described in a series of leaflets available at the publications tab.

Earlier legislation

These earlier pieces of EU legislation have been repealed by the adoption of the IED:

• Directive 2008/1/EC on integrated pollution prevention and control;
• Directive 2000/76/EC on waste incineration;
• Directive 1999/13/EC on activities using organic solvents;
• Directives 78/176/EEC, 82/883/EEC and 92/112/EEC, concerning titanium dioxide production;
• Directive 2001/80/EC on large combustion plants (LCP).