Editorial note

Council Directive 96/61 on integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) is designed to achieve integrated prevention and control of pollution arising from activities listed in Annex I to the Directive (energy industries, production and processing of metals, mineral industry, chemical industry, waste management, livestock farming, etc.). The Directive lays down measures designed to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions in the air, water and land from the above-mentioned activities, including measures concerning waste, in order to achieve a high level of protection of the environment taken as a whole (Article 1). The competent authorities of Member States are to ensure that installations subject to the Directive are operated in such a way that all the appropriate preventive measures are taken against pollution, in particular through application of the best available techniques; no significant pollution is caused; waste production is avoided or, where waste is produced, it is recovered or, where that is technically and economically impossible, it is disposed of while avoiding or reducing any impact on the environment; energy is used efficiently; the necessary measures are taken to prevent accidents and limit their consequences; and the necessary measures are taken upon definitive cessation of activities to avoid any pollution risk and return the site of operation to a satisfactory state (Article 3). New installations regulated by the Directive are to operate only with a permit issued in accordance with the Directive (Article 4). A transitional period (30 October 1999 to 30 October 2007) is laid down during which existing installations are to comply with the Directive.