An extra `P' heralds environmental regulations

Companies currently exempt from installing pollution control equipment could find themselves shelling out under new regulations triggered by European legislation, environment minister Michael Meacher told a recent seminar in London. The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control directive, which comes into force in 1999, will also bring more installations under a control regime than ever before.

IPPC is to replace the current regime of IPC (integrated pollution control), on which it is based. Many of the points are familiar, such as in the use of the Best Available Technique for pollution control (similar to BATNEEC - best available technology not entailing excessive cost - in IPC) There are important changes, however. IPC applies to chemical processes, and about 2000 are covered; but IPPC applies to installations, which also includes landfill sites, pig and poultry farms, metal industry sites currently covered by air pollution control; and food and drink installations. Over 7000 installations will be governed by the IPPC regulations, mostly from 2007. `For many, it is the first time they have been brought under a permitting regime based on the concept of BAT,' he observed.

The government has published a consultation paper, seeking industry's ideas on the best way to impose IPPC. There may be several changes from IPC, the most important of which could be the scrapping of the idea of sectoral affordability. `Some sectors of industry make more profits than others,' explained Meacher. `Should those which make lower profits continue to be let off controls which apply in more profitable sectors? And is it right to say to a sector of industry "you could save five pounds' worth of environmental damage by spending four pounds, but we won't make you do so because we think you are too poor?"'

Meacher also insisted that the Environment Agency will take an active and - if need be - aggressive role in policing new regulations. `It is right to try to achieve results through education and cooperation, and to give firms warning before resorting to stronger measures. But the most powerful weapons in the Agency's armoury - prosecution, prohibition and revocation - are there to be used if gentler measures fail.'