A new European Directive which will lead to better protection for the environment as a whole has been welcomed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) requires member states to control industrial pollution in an integrated way, taking account of a wide range of environmental impacts including pollutants to land, air and water; energy efficiency; consumption of raw materials; noise and site restoration.

SEPA has submitted to The Scottish Office its detailed response to the consultation paper on the implementation of the Directive. Commenting on the response, Rob Ebbins, SEPA’s Head of Policy Co-ordination (Air) said:

"SEPA looks forward to the adoption of this Directive. It forms an excellent regulatory framework and should allow SEPA to work with industry to reduce pollution and bring real improvements to Scotland’s environment. As well as the 200 industrial installations already subject to the existing legislation, around 500 will come under IPPC for the first time, including intensive agriculture, larger landfill sites and the food and drink industries.

"It is significant that the Directive adds the word ‘Prevention’ to the old ‘Integrated Pollution Control’ legislation. This highlights the new Directive’s emphasis on waste minimisation, energy efficiency and raw material consumption, which should help industry move towards more sustainable forms of development. This is very much in line with SEPA’s aim of preventing pollution before it happens, which is better for the environment and the economy."

NOTES

1. In its detailed response to The Scottish Office, SEPA has:

• called for the Directive to be implemented at an early date through primary legislation in the UK.
• made constructive comments on the Government’s proposals and how the legislation should be implemented.
• recommended that "Approved Codes of Practice" could be used to increase transparency and consistency.
• recommended that the links to other EC Directives should be fully exploited.
• argued that SEPA is well placed to be the sole IPPC regulator in Scotland.

2. EC Directive 96/61 on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control was adopted by Member States on 24 September 1996. The UK must bring the Directive into force by October 1999. From this date all new installations subject to IPPC must hold a permit, issued by the regulatory body, prior to operation. Existing installations have to comply with the Directive’s requirements by 2007.

3. The Directive builds on the success of the current Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) legislation within the UK, but is more comprehensive in approach. Major differences are that :

• new aspects of pollution are covered including noise and vibration;
• the Directive requires installations rather than processes to be permitted;
• the option of permitting by more than one regulatory body is provided for;
• the list of substances "prescribed" for water is much larger;
• exemption on the basis of triviality is not provided for;
• site re-mediation is required following cessation of activities;
• greater emphasis on raw material usage, energy efficiency and waste
• minimisation.