Project description and aims
The project aims to help better understand the challenges faced by regulatory practitioners in implementing the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and focus on finding solutions to those issues. Several reports and guidances have been outputted from the project that focus on following goals:
- A better understanding of the outstanding problems with IED implementation encountered by regulatory practitioners, so that the work of the project can prioritise and focus on helping to resolve those problems.
- Supporting the application of risk-based approaches to the planning and execution of regulatory interventions so that the limited resources of environmental authorities can be more effectively applied in targeting installations and activities that are having the greatest impact on people and the environment and helping to resolve the most serious cases of non-compliance with the IED.
- A better understanding of the efficiency and effectiveness of routine and non-routine environmental inspections and, where necessary enforcement action in promoting compliance and achieving the requirements of the IED.
- Identifying the instruments within the IED that can contribute to the overall objective of achieving a circular economy in Europe and sharing good practices on how they are implemented.
- Supporting the policy objectives and actions of the European Green Deal by evaluating how the implementation of the IED could be more effectively applied to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote more efficient use of resources, and respond to the impacts of climate change.
- More effective regulation of public nuisance problems arising from industry, including odours, noise and litter, by investigating the types and sources of conflicts and complaints and how different approaches are used to address and resolve them.
- Improved application of BAT in environmental permitting by focusing on a range of specific technical issues, identifying and promoting good practices, and developing advice and guidance.
- More robust verification of self-monitoring and reporting from duty holders by sharing and identifying good practices amongst regulatory organisations to improve the quality and reliability of self-monitoring data.
- Improved quality of BREFs by ensuring that the knowledge and experience of regulatory practitioners is fed back into the cycle of review and revision of BREF documents.
- A better understanding of the sources and contribution of specific pollutants from industrial sectors and how the implementation of existing environmental legislation, including the IED and Air Quality Directive could be improved to regulate and reduce air pollution, and to achieve relevant ambient air quality standards.
- Practical solutions for the implementation of BAT Conclusions in the Waste Incineration sector to help to achieve a more level playing field across Europe.
Project Outputs from 2021-2024 Cycle:
A Guidance on Self-Monitoring And Reporting of Air Emissions
This IMPEL guidance document focuses on operator self-monitoring and reporting of air emissions and its crucial role in ensuring environmental compliance. It examines the current landscape of self-monitoring schemes across different countries and aims to strengthen legal dispositions at both the EU and national levels to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of this process. The guidance advocates for a more defined and systematically assessed self-monitoring framework that includes clear responsibilities for operators and authorities, the involvement of accredited third parties, and its recognition as a key component of compliance assurance between permitting and inspection
A Report on Public Nuisance of Industrial Odours
The main aim of this report is to map the different practices and share the best experiences between IMPEL members. This report utilizes the result of the questionnaire and information collected from the literature as well as during the site visit in the pulp mill and oil refinery.
The survey shows that online platforms are good for collecting odor complaints and communicating with the local community. Online platforms for air quality monitoring are also useful tools for environmental monitoring, both for the competent authority and the surrounding area. Moreover, a general conclusion is that good communication with the operator and the surrounding area helps in conflicts. The new IED 2.0 (2024/1785/EU) should shed some light on odour issues, as it should clarify that odour pollution should be considered when determining best available techniques and when granting or revising permits.
A Report on BAT in Poultry and Pig Farms-Analysis and recommendations on article 6(3) Habitat Directive
This report analyzes the critical issue of nitrogen deposition exceeding acceptable levels across the EU, with a primary focus on the significant contribution from the livestock sector and its detrimental effects on ecosystems and biodiversity. The document assesses the current application of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive within member states through a survey and examines its relationship with the EU's 'zero-pollution' plan, highlighting the shortcomings in current implementation and enforcement. Based on these findings, the report provides recommendations for a more effective use of Article 6(3) regarding livestock farming, emphasizing the need for establishing critical deposition values, utilizing calculation tools, standardizing permitting procedures, and ensuring robust supervision and enforcement to protect Natura 2000 sites
A Video on IMPEL studies on BAT in Poultry and Pig Farms
The video focuses on IED implementation and Best Available Techniques in intensive livestock sector facilitating in Europe. The studies of this working group also include the Habitats Directive, aiming to secure biodiversity in natural areas.
A Report on Various Aspects of BAT Conclusions and Permits
This report examines various aspects of the interpretation and implementation of Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions and permits under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)/ The report summarizes the findings of the working group's analysis of nine key issues, including general binding rules, the application of emission ranges, and streamlining requirements with other EU directives The goal of this work was to develop a common understanding of these interpretational issues among Member States and to identify good practices for more effective and consistent application of the IED to minimize industrial emissions and ensure a level playing field for operators.
A Workshop Report on Self-Monitoring and Reporting
Online Workshop on Operator self-monitoring air emissions was held on 28th September and 11th October 2021 as part of the IMPEL Project “Supporting IED Implementation 2021-2024”, jointly organised by ARPA Sardegna (Italy) and IGAMAOT (Portugal). The workshop focused on Operator self-monitoring, on air emissions, continuous and non-continuous, in particular on the reliability of self-monitoring and its reporting by operators (duty-holders).
A Report on Improving Air Quality
This IMPEL report, reactivated in late 2022, investigated air quality at the member state level and approaches to its improvement through an analysis of industrial and ambient air quality directives. Utilizing a questionnaire, the project identified challenges and critical points for both permit writers and field inspectors across four key areas related to air quality. Ultimately, the report summarizes findings and offers conclusions on shortcomings in EU air quality legislation along with recommendations for future improvements
BAT Conclusions in Waste Incineration-Survey Report
This report presents the results of a survey conducted among its members to understand the current state of implementation of the Waste Incineration BAT Conclusions (BATc). The survey gathered practical experiences and knowledge from permit writers and inspectors across Europe on various aspects of waste incineration regulation under the new BATc. The ultimate aim of this initial step is to develop practical tools to assist regulators and permit writers in effectively applying the WI BAT Conclusions.
A Report on Integrated Risk Assessment Method II (IRAM II)
This report, "Integrated Risk Assessment Method II (IRAM II)", details a project that follows up on IRAM I to determine the time needed for environmental site visits and identify which environmental aspects require deeper inspection. IRAM II provides a methodology for time estimation using both General Time Criteria applicable to all industrial sectors and Specific Time Criteria relevant to particular industries, while also outlining methods for inspection focus based on the environmental impact assessed by IRAM I. The ultimate aim of combining IRAM I and IRAM II is to enable a more intelligent and efficient allocation of environmental inspectors given the shortage of personnel in EU countries.