Environmental Permitting (EP) has replaced the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) regime. Like IPPC, EP 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.
Companies are required 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. EP considers the environmental impacts of an installation throughout its whole lifecycle - from building, through operation and also during decommissioning.
Through Environmental Permitting the UK government has introduced the requirements of the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (Originally 96/61/EC, now codified to 2008/1/EC). EP 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.
For installations that had a valid IPPC permit on 6th April 2008, this is still valid until the permit requires alteration when it will be issued under the Environmental Permitting (EP) regime.