Fundamental principles of the IPPC Directive
The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive
is based on four principles, designed to achieve a high level of
environmental protection for the whole environment. This builds
upon the system of Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) pioneered in
the UK by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part I. The four
major principles are:
An integrated approach to emissions control
This means that permits must take into account the whole
environmental performance of the installation, covering emissions
to all media, waste production and minimisation, resource
utilisation, energy efficiency, control over noise, prevention of
accidents and restoration of the site upon closure.
The controls provided by the permit must be based on best
available techniques
All permit conditions including Emission Limit Values (ELVs)
must be based on best available techniques (BAT), as defined by the
IPPC Directive. To assist determining BAT, the European Commission
organises an exchange of information between experts from the
European Union Member States, industry and environmental
organisations, in development of sector specific guidance. These
are called BAT Reference Documents (BREFs).
Elements of flexibility
The competent authorities of Member States are allowed to take
into account such factors as the technical characteristics of the
installation, the geographical location or the installation and the
local environmental conditions in determining best available
techniques and setting permit conditions.
Public right to participate
The public should be involved in the decision-making process,
and receive the outcomes, by being given access to permit
applications, draft permits and decision documents, as well as the
results of the monitoring of releases through the the European
Pollutant Release and Transfer Register.