EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)

Directive 2010/75/EU, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), consolidates seven previous directives into a single framework for controlling emissions from industrial and agricultural installations. It applies to sectors such as energy production, chemical manufacturing, waste treatment, and intensive livestock rearing.

The 2024 update strengthens environmental objectives by requiring installations to implement measures for decarbonisation, resource efficiency, and pollution prevention, aligning with the European Green Deal and Zero Pollution Action Plan. It introduces obligations for environmental management systems, including accident prevention and site restoration plans. The scope now covers emerging sectors such as hydrogen production via electrolysis and battery manufacturing, reflecting technological developments.

Operators must apply Best Available Techniques (BAT) to minimize emissions to air, water, and land, supported by BAT reference documents (BREFs) that set performance benchmarks and emission limits. The directive enforces strict permitting, monitoring, and public access to information. It also regulates waste treatment facilities, including composting, anaerobic digestion, and incineration, promoting nutrient and energy recovery from biowaste and livestock manure. These measures advance cleaner production, circular economy principles, and climate neutrality.

Relevance to bio-waste and/or circular bioeconomy:

IED supports circular bioeconomy goals by regulating composting, anaerobic digestion, and incineration under BAT standards. It enables nutrient and energy recovery from biowaste and livestock manure while enforcing resource efficiency and pollution prevention. The 2024 update strengthens links to decarbonisation and circular economy, ensuring waste treatment contributes to sustainable production and climate objectives.

EU (EEA relevance)

Full title: Consolidated text: Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial and livestock rearing emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (Recast) (Text with EEA relevance)

Publication date: 2010 (consolidated 2024)

Instrument type: Directive

Binding for EU MS: Yes

Keywords: industrial emissions, livestock rearing, best available techniques, pollution prevention, waste treatment, composting, anaerobic digestion, biowaste, circular economy, resource efficiency