Prescribed Processes

Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 established a system of control for industrial air pollution. As part of this system, Epping Forest District Council authorised certain industrial processes, effectively providing them with a licence to operate. Such premises include: petrol stations, paint spraying operations and crematoria

The processes affected by this legislation were specified within the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processed and Substances) Regulations 1991. Schedule 1 described these processes, which are categorised as either a ‘Part A’ or ‘Part B’ operations.

The Act also introduced the objective of Best Available Techniques not Entailing Excessive Cost (BATNEEC). The definition of ‘techniques’ incorporates the physical aspects of a process together with the ‘software’ – such as the training of staff and integration of procedures that will contribute to emission control or minimisation. ‘Available’ techniques are those that are generally accessible to the industry, and ‘best’ means the most effective methods in preventing, minimising or rendering harmless polluting emissions. There may be more than one best technique solution available.

This system is also being progressively replaced by a revised system under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000, which introduces a two-tier permit system of ‘Part A2’ and ‘Part B’ premises. ‘Part A2’ premises will operate under a regime called Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (LA-IPPC) regulating emissions to air, land and water. ‘Part B’ premises (which will include the majority of the old ‘Part B’ operations under the Environmental Protection Act) will be subject to air pollution control only under Local Air Pollution Prevention and Control (LAPPC). The Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 also revise the BATNEEC objective to Best Available Techniques (BAT), in that cost now takes second place to environmental protection.

It is illegal for a process to operate without a permit if it falls within the remit of the above legislation.

We maintain a public register of prescribed processes / permitted installations, view it here.