Pollution
Prevention and Control Act 1999
This legislation
is new coming from the EC Directive 96/61 Integrated Pollution Prevention
and Control.
The Act is written
so as to enable the prevention or, where not possible, the reduction of
pollution by means of an integrated permitting process based on the application
of Best Available Techniques (BAT). The aim is to achieve a high level
of environmental protection with the requirement of pollutant emissions
to air, water and land; energy efficiency; consumption of raw materials;
noise/vibration; heat/light; pollution prevention; waste management; and
site restoration to be taken into account.
Integrated Pollution
Prevention and Control is required for all activities listed in Annex
1 of the Directive.
Annex 1 industries
include: energy industries; metal processing / production; mineral and
chemical industries; waste management; pulp, paper and board production;
pre-treatment / dyeing of fibres; tanning; abattoirs / disposal of animal
carcasses; various food processes; and intensive poultry / pig rearing.
No exemptions due
to triviality exist although there are thresholds included within the
Annex 1 details.
Installations are
covered, rather than processes, as is the case with the current IPC system.
All new, or changes to, installations will require permits. Where conditions
to permits exist they will be reviewed periodically taking technological,
or other changes, into account.
Provision is required
for public access to application, permit and monitoring information.
Compliance
requirements if applicable:
- Installations
that existed prior to 30/10/96, or installations having, or having requested
an authorisation and becoming operational prior to 30/10/97, must comply
by 30/10/2007.
- Any existing installation
planning a substantial change between implementation of the Directive
and 30/10/2007 must apply for a permit covering the part of the installation
to be changed.
- Permit applications
should be submitted to the competent authority, the Environment Agency.
Additional considerations/documentation:
There will be a
provision for an information exchange facility regarding BAT (with input
from member states and/or industry) which will be published every 3 years.
Considerations to
be taken when determining BAT:
- use of low waste
technology
- use of less hazardous
substances
- recovery and recycling
of waste materials/by-products
- alternative processes,
facilities or operational methods (successfully trialed on industrial
scale)
- technological
changes/advances in science
- nature, effects
and volume of emissions; commissioning dates for new or existing installations
- time needed to
introduce BAT
- nature and consumption
of process raw materials (including water and energy efficiency)
- prevention/reduction
to a minimum of the impact of emissions to the environment
- the need to prevent
accidents and minimise their consequences to the environment
- and information
published by the European Commission and/or International Organisations.
Installations falling under PPC include:
- IPC regulated
processes
- LAAPC
- trade effluent
consented or discharge consented processes
- sites regulated
under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (SI1056)
- sites regulated
under the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel
Oil) Regulations 1991 (SI 324)
- and various food
and drink processing plants.
Please note:
These statements are for your assistance and may not be complete for your
company’s particular circumstances. If in any doubt you are advised
to consult your local Groundwork office or the Environment Agency to ensure
that any action you take is within the law.
Environment
Agency:
Northwest Regional office (Warrington) – 01925 653 999
Sub-regional offices:
Northern area office (Carlisle) – 01228 25151
Central area office (Preston) – 01772 339882
Southern area office (Sale) – 0161 973 2237
|
