IEDdirektiivien

IEDdirektiivien, officially Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control), is a key piece of European Union legislation aimed at controlling pollution from industrial activities. It consolidates and replaces several older directives related to industrial pollution, including those on large combustion plants, waste incineration, and integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC). The main objective of the IED is to achieve a high level of protection for the environment and human health by requiring industrial installations to operate using the best available techniques (BAT).

The directive applies to a wide range of industrial sectors, including energy production, metal production, mineral processing, chemical industries, waste management, and intensive livestock farming. It establishes a permitting system where operators of industrial installations must obtain permits from national authorities. These permits are based on environmental quality standards and the application of BAT. BAT conclusions, which are legally binding documents, are developed for different industrial sectors and set out the techniques, their associated emission levels, and monitoring requirements that are considered the best for preventing and controlling pollution.

Key elements of the IED include the concept of integrated pollution prevention and control, meaning that permits consider the entire environmental impact of an activity, including emissions to air, water, and soil, as well as waste generation. It also promotes the use of cleaner technologies and resource efficiency. Member states are responsible for transposing the directive into their national laws and ensuring its effective implementation and enforcement. The directive is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect technological advancements and evolving environmental concerns.