1. IPPC Permit Procedure in the UK Kiev, 26 January 2011 Alex Radway Senior Advisor Environment Agency for England & Wales, United Kingdom

2. To cover 1.IPPC (IED) requirements 2.UK competent authorities for IPPC 3.Permitting principles – “how” 4.Centralised permitting? – “who” 5.A typical permit – “what” 6.Conclusions

3. General IPPC (IED) requirements designated by Member State for carrying out the Directive obligations article 71 Competent Authority OperatorInstallation (s) legal person who operates / controls the installation.. or who has decisive economic power over the technical functioning of the installation article 3(15)) UK guidance RGN1RGN1 stationary technical unit where an Annex 1 listed activity is carried out PLUS ‘directly associated activities’ on the same site technically connected could affect emissions article 3(3) UK guidance RGN2RGN2

4. General permitting flexibilities A permit may cover: two or more installations or parts of installations operated by the same operator on the same site article 4(2) several parts of an installation operated by different operators. Specify the responsibilities of each operator article 4(3) Operator A Operator B Installation Installation 1 Operator A Installation 2 Operator A

5. General options Permit article 5 written authorisation to operate (all or part of) an installation 3(7) Grant if installation complies 5(1) Ensure integrated approach by co-ordinating Competent Authorities and permits 5(2) Streamline with Environmental Impact Assessment or Safety Report 5(3) / 12(2) General binding rules articles 6 / 17 emission limit values or other conditions, at least at sector level, that are adopted with the intention of being used directly to set permit conditions 3(8) Where adopted, permit may simply include a reference to such rules Not used in UK

6. Specific provisions – Annex 1 activities Content of applications for permits article 12 Permit conditions article 14 ‘All measures necessary’ to ensure compliance with basic obligations & Environmental Quality Standards Measures include: Emission Limit Values (ELV) – for polluting substances in significant quantities Emission monitoring Non-routine operation Minimise long-distance pollution How to assess ELV compliance Flexibility to supplement / replace ELV with ‘equivalent parameters’ article 14(2) ‘BAT Conclusions’ = reference for setting permit conditions article 14(3) Stricter conditions if needed for EQS compliance article 14(4)

7. Justification for departure from BREF If emission limit value (ELV) derogates from BAT conclusion then annex to the permit with: reasons for the derogation result of the cost benefit assessment justification for the conditions imposed article 15(4) ‘Involve’ public when use 15(4) derogation article 24(1)c Above reasons available to the public (via internet) article 24(2)(f)

8. Permit review Aim to revise BREFs every 8 years Recital 13 Within 4 years of a new/revised BREF article 21 Competent Authority to compare performance vs. BAT-AEL Review permit conditions & update where necessary Ensure compliance with permit conditions European Commission check article 73(1) 3-yearly EC implementation study Need for minimum ELV (Emission Limit Values) if Continuing environmental impact Poor implementation of BAT (BREF)

9. To cover 1.IPPC (IED) requirements 2.UK competent authorities for IPPC 3.Permitting principles – “how” 4.Centralised permitting? – “who” 5.A typical permit – “what” 6.Conclusions

10. UK Competent Authorities for IPPC But Local Authorities in E&W Air pollution expertise Consult Environment Agency for water discharges conditions Ref: General Guidance Manual – section 10General Guidance Manual

11. To cover 1.IPPC (IED) requirements 2.UK competent authorities for IPPC 3.Permitting principles – “how” 4.Centralised permitting? – “who” 5.A typical permit – “what” 6.Conclusions

12. Permitting Process a)Pre-Application discussion b)Complete standard application form using guidance c)Application by operator d)Administrative check – fee, questions answered article 12 e)Further information required? f)Consultation – other experts / public g)Determination by Competent Authority h)Permit issue or refusal

13. The IPPC permitting spectrum

14. Permitting principles – part 1 1.Value of pre-application discussion & guidance –Good applications  good permits that are easy to write 2.Standardise where possible Template application forms and permits Generic condition + specific conditions Same order in guidance, application form and permits consistency and time efficiency 3.Use high level outcomes and management systems detailed permit conditions are problematic Operators take ownership 4.Polluter pays charges should reflect resources needed to regulate 5.Phased introduction 4000 UK installations sectors groupings (2001-07)

15. Permitting principles – part 2 6.Proportionate controls minimum resource to achieve the desired objective Bespoke permits / standard permits Standard Rules Permits cover many similar installations Use where processes well-known and no major problems envisaged cheap and quick to issue include standard conditions on emissions, operating procedures etc. Bespoke permits needed for more complex, high-risk installations (e.g. oil refineries) more information needed from the operator on how pollution will be prevented more work needed to determine (so higher fees)

16. To cover 1.IPPC (IED) requirements 2.UK competent authorities for IPPC 3.Permitting principles – “how” 4.Centralised permitting? – “who” 5.A typical permit – “what” 6.Conclusions

17. Centralised permitting? A.Same officer writes the permit and enforces it Pros: Continuity of knowledge Personal satisfaction Cons: Long permit determination times Consistency of permits B.Separate permitting and enforcement officers Pros: Shorter permit determination times Consistency of permits Develop sector templates More efficient administration Simple applications dealt with by junior staff Cons: Continuity of knowledge Production line?

18. To cover 1.IPPC (IED) requirements 2.UK competent authorities for IPPC 3.Permitting principles – “how” 4.Centralised permitting? – “who” 5.A typical permit – “what” 6.Conclusions

19. A typical permit 1.Cover sheet 2.Introductory note 3.Status log 4.Certificate 5.Conditions: a.Installation scope b.Operation of the installation c.Records d.Reporting e.Notification f.Emissions - sources, limits and monitoring for air, water & noise g.Transfer to effluent treatment plant h.Off-site conditions i.Improvement Programme j.Interpretation / definitions 6.Annexes (notification & reporting forms)

20. To cover 1.IPPC (IED) requirements 2.UK competent authorities for IPPC 3.Permitting principles – “how” 4.Centralised permitting? – “who” 5.A typical permit – “what” 6.Conclusions

21. Conclusions 1.How to implement IPPC(IED) requirements: Use General Binding Rules? Provide for article 4 flexibilities? Defining ‘operator’ and ‘installation’ Robust justification of any article 15 derogation Phased reviews 2.Permitting systems Standardised Proportionality – standard vs. bespoke Permit determination / enforcement – together or separate?

22. Further information Environment Agency http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/permitting/32320.aspx UK Environment Ministry (Defra) http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/pollution/ppc/envagency/pubs/index.htm European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/pollutants/stationary/ippc/general_guidance.htm Alex Radway: Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH UK email: alex.radway@environment-agency.gov.ukalex.radway@environment-agency.gov.uk Telephone: +44 117 934 4000