Directive on integrated pollution prevention and control
The Council of Ministers of the European Union has published the text of Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control, adopted on 24 September 1996. The purpose of the Directive is to achieve integrated prevention and control of pollution arising from industrial activities. Member States will be required to ensure that operators of industrial installations take appropriate measures to prevent or control pollution, by means of permits. The aim of the Directive is to prevent or reduce emissions in the air, water and land, in order to achieve a high level of protection for the environment as a whole. The industrial activities covered by the Directive are listed in annex, and include: energy; metals; minerals; chemicals; and waste management. Another annex contains a list of the polluting substances to be taken into account in the implementation of measures under the Directive.