Pollution Prevention and Control
Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) is a regulatory regime for controlling pollution from certain industrial activities. From 6 April 2008 it has been incorporated into the framework of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
Background
The industrial activities covered by the PPC element of the Environmental Permitting Regulations are very wide ranging and cover installations in the following industrial sectors:
Energy industries
- Combustion Activities
- Gasification, Liquefaction and Refining Activities
Production and Processing of Metals
- Ferrous Metals
- Non-Ferrous Metals
- Surface Treating Metals and Plastic Materials
Mineral Industries
- Production of Cement and Lime
- Activities Involving Asbestos
- Manufacturing Glass and Glass Fibre
- Production of Other Mineral Fibres
- Ceramic Production
The Chemical Industry
- Organic Chemicals
- Inorganic Chemicals
- Chemical Fertiliser Production
- Plant Health Products and Biocides
- Pharmaceutical Production
- Explosives Production
- Manufacturing Activities Involving Carbon Disulphide or Ammonia
- Storage of Chemicals in Bulk
Waste Management
- Disposal of Waste by Incineration
- Disposal of Waste by Landfill
- Disposal of Waste other than by Incineration or Landfill
- Recovery of Waste
- Production of Fuel from Waste
Other Activities
- Paper, Pulp and Board Manufacturing Activities
- Carbon Activities
- Tar and Bitumen Activities
- Coating Activities, Printing and Textile Treatments
- The manufacture of Dyestuffs, Printing Ink and Coating Materials
- Timber Activities
- Activities involving Rubber
- The treatment of Animal and Vegetable Matter and Food Industries
- Intensive Farming
SED (Solvent Emission Directive) Activities
The Regulators
The industrial activities caught by the PPC element of the Environmental Permitting Regulations are split into three categories and are regulated by two different regulators:
Part A(1) The Environment Agency
The Environment Agency regulates what is considered to be the most polluting of the three industrial categories, A(1) activities' known as the IPPC. These are regulated for multi media emissions such as air, land, water and other environmental considerations.
For further information see www.environment-agency.co.uk
Part A(2) and Part B - Local Authorities
Local authorities regulate the comparatively less polluting Part A(2) activities (multi- media regulation such as air, land, water and other environmental considerations), known as LA-IPPC and the lesser polluting Part B activities (these are regulated for emissions to air only), known as LAPPC.
Permits
Operators of installations like those mentioned above must obtain a permit to operate. Permit applications must include a written description of the way in which pollution is to be minimised. Where a local authority decides to grant an installation permit, that permit must include conditions stipulating how pollution is to be minimised. Government guidance has been published as to the appropriate pollution standards for various types of installation. The law requires the standards to achieve a balance between protecting the environment and the cost of so doing. The local authority is required to have regard to that guidance.
Operators can appeal where a permit application is refused or where it is granted but the operator disagrees with the conditions.
Once a permit is issued the operator must comply with the conditions.
Local authorities categorise installations according to the risk they represent (high, medium or low risk) based on the potential environmental impact in the event of an incident, and the effectiveness and reliability of the operator.
Where a business fails to comply with the Regulations, local authorities have the power to serve various types of notice and the power to prosecute. Where possible, however, authorities try to work with the operator to resolve problems.
Further information can be found on the DEFRA website at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc
Public Registers
Local authorities are required by Environmental Permitting regulation 46 to maintain a public register containing information on all LA-IPPC and LAPPC installations and mobile plant they are responsible for.
The public register can be viewed at room 703
Environment and Safety Team
Regulatory Services and Public Protection
Newcastle City Council
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8PB
Phone: 0191 2116178
Fax: 0191 2116060
Email: rspp@newcastle.gov.uk
between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Application Forms
In the majority of cases, operators should apply for an LA-IPPC permit when they have drawn up full designs, but not before starting construction work.
All permits should in place for LA-IPPC and LAPPC before operations commence.
A2 Application Form (PDF 51kb)
Dry Cleaner Application Form (PDF 57kb)
Small Waste Oil Burner Application Form (PDF 785kb)
Please contact the Environment and Safety Team on 0191 2116147 to discuss your process before completing any application forms.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it using the contact details below.
Fees and Charges and Risk Based Inspection Method
The risk based fee and charges scheme is designed so that industry pays reasonable costs to the local authorities who regulate them under the 'polluter pays' principle.
Ultimately the greater the risk, the higher the risk banding the installation will fall into, and the greater the fees payable.
- Local authority environmental regulation of industrial plant - fees and charges
Risk
- Risk assessment and risk based regulations
Introduction to NetRegs
NetRegs is the primary trusted source of guidance on environmental legislation for businesses in the UK. It provides free, clear guidance for different business types on how to comply with environmental legislation.
You can:
- receive regular updates on environmental legislation by signing up for free email alerts
- use the online questionnaire to assess your environmental compliance
- find your nearest authorised waste contractor or recycling facility by using the online waste directory
NetRegs is a partnership between the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland.
Using NetRegs will help you protect your business reputation, save money and avoid prosecution.
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