For the European glass industry, EC Directive 96/61 on integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, currently being introduced throughout Europe is undoubtedly one of the most significant pieces of legislation to come onto the statute books in recent years. All EC countries are today in the process of, or have already implemented, legislative measures to bring the directive into effect - often in tandem with other non-regulatory incentives. In the UK for instance, the government has set up the Envirowise programme to ensure that all sectors of British industry have direct access to free, confidential advice and services to improve their industrial environmental performance. Other member states have also established similar schemes. This article looks at the legislation currently as it stands, and towards the future.
