Unit 3:  Current Legislation Affecting UK Industry: Overview

3.3.1  IPC and IPPC: Summary of The Main Differences

Although both regimes are very similar in the means by which they operate and their objectives, there are some significant differences, which will influence pollution control in the future within the UK. The main differences can be summarised as thus:

  • Significantly more installations will be covered than IPPC than IPC.
  • More environmental impacts are considered under IPPC.
  • IPPC is applicable to actual installations, whereas IPC applies to processes.
  • Installations producing minor emissions are not exempt under IPPC.
  • IPPC enables Member States to make general binding rules, rather than conditions within permits that are site specific.
  • IPPC gives Member States the choice of having more than one regulator involved in issuing permits.
  • Permits under IPPC must be periodically reviewed. With IPC, this is every four years.
  • The system for changes in installations under IPPC differs from IPC.
  • IPPC enables information to be exchanged between Member States within industry.
  • Where BATNEEC was a condition of IPC, BAT- Best Available Techniques are now part of IPPC (for a further discussion of BATNEEC, you are referred to the air pollution unit).
  • Schedule A and Schedule B (Part A and Part B) processes are still distinctly provided for within the IPPC regime, however a third category has been added, providing for some waste management installations previously regulated under Part II of EPA 1990.