The Environment Agency has published No.7 in its IPPC Regulatory Guidance Series, Criteria for Determining Whether an Installation can be Classified as Low Impact. The IPPC Directive requires the EA to permit all IPPC installations regardless of their potential for environmental harm. If the criteria within this guidance are met then a simpler permitting approach is adopted, although all other aspects of pollution prevention & control still apply. `Lower impact' sites are expected to require minimal regulatory effort by EA staff, which should be reflected in lower permit & subsistence charges for operators. The current guidance has been amended in the light of experience & indicates that a low impact installation will be determined having considered: Management techniques; Aqueous waste releases; Abatement systems/releases to air; Ground water regulations; Waste production; Energy consumption; Accident prevention; Noise; Emissions of polluting substances; Odour; and Compliance history.
