• provide a clear structure and methodology that Operators making an application should follow to ensure that all aspects of the PPC Regulations and other relevant Regulations have been addressed, so it should assist the Operator to make a satisfactory application;
  
  
• minimise the effort by both Operator and Regulator in the Permitting of an installation by using clear indicative standards and material from previous applications as well as from accredited Environmental Management Systems (EMS);
  
  
• improve the consistency of applications by ensuring that all relevant issues are addressed;
  
  
• increase the transparency of the Permitting process by having a structure in which the Operator's response to each issue, and any departures from the standards, can be seen clearly;
  
  
• improve the consistency of regulation across installations and sectors by facilitating the comparison of applications;
  
  
• provide a summary of BATs for pollution control.
  
  

To assist Operators in making applications, separate, horizontal guidance is also available on a range of topics such as waste minimisation, monitoring, calculating stack heights and so on. Most of this guidance is available free through the Environment Agency, SEPA or EHS (Northern Ireland) websites.

The tables below shows the UK guidance that is presently available. By clicking on the relevant title you will be able to download the guidance highlighted.

The guidance has been split into sections as in the Regulations, with Horizontal cross sector guidance shown in the first table.



Advice on Downloading Documents

UK Technical Guidance and BREFs can be large documents. When you try to open one your computer has to download and open it. Broken connections (which are common on the internet) are a particular problem when both these tasks are performed at the same time. It is much easier for the computer to do the download process first. Once it is fully downloaded on to your computer you can open it.

To do so, click the right mouse button on the link and select "Save target as..." (if using MS-Internet Explorer) or "Save link as..."(if using Netscape). You will then be asked where you want to save the document. Once it is totally downloaded, go to the folder where you saved it and open it normally. This process should also prevent printing errors.

This site is updated on a monthly basis, and from time to time the documents displayed will not be the most up to date. It is important therefore that reference is made to the Environment Agency's website which may carry more up-to-date versions. To view the Environment Agency's PPC pages please click here.


This is a list of the UK technical guidance presently in use in Scotland. There may be additional guidance applicable to installations in other areas of the UK. For further information please see the Environment Agency's website.

UK Horizontal Guidance

IPPC S0 UK Technical Guidance

IPPC S1 UK Technical Guidance

IPPC S2 UK Technical Guidance

IPPC S3 UK Technical Guidance

IPPC S4 UK Technical Guidance

IPPC S5 UK Technical Guidance

IPPC S6 UK Technical Guidance