Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) has replaced the previous Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and Air Pollution Control (APC) regimes. Unlike IPC, IPPC is based on the principle of preventing and minimising pollution at source, rather than tackling it through 'end-of-pipe' abatement and allowing companies to pollute up to a certain level.
Companies must demonstrate that they are employing Best Available Techniques (BAT) or justify departure from BAT where the technique is not or cannot be used. Applying BAT should ensure that processes are operated in a way that provides the most benefit or least harm to the environment as a whole. IPPC requires companies to make a 'Duly Made' application to the relevant Regulator (the Environment Agency or Local Authority) with a view to obtaining a permit to operate. IPPC considers the environmental impacts of an installation throughout its whole lifecycle - from building, through operation and also during decommissioning.
The UK government introduced the requirements of the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (96/61/EC) in 2000. In doing this, it decided to revise substantially the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) system, which regulated air, water and land discharges from thousands of companies. IPPC requires additional environmental aspects to be considered in the permitting process, such as noise, energy efficiency, major accident prevention and eventual site restoration (i.e. decommissioning). Preparation of a site report is required for Part A applications, to determine the initial land quality.
IPPC was introduced in the UK via the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Act 1999 and supporting Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000.