Governance & Policy
EU Industrial Emissions Directive
Definition
The Industrial Emissions Directive, Directive 2010/75/EU, requires large industrial and agricultural installations — power plants, refineries, chemical works, intensive farms — to hold an integrated permit covering emissions to air, water and land, waste and energy efficiency. Permit conditions must reflect best available techniques set out in EU-level reference documents, tightened further by a 2024 revision extending coverage and introducing environmental management systems.
References
Legal text, permitting and BAT
Zero-pollution policy context
Overview
What it means
Europe's biggest polluters operate under technology-forcing permits updated as best available techniques evolve.
How it is used
Operators track BAT conclusions; regulators set permit limits; the 2024 revision brings mines and large battery plants into scope.
Why it matters
It is the EU's main instrument for industrial pollution prevention and a global reference for integrated permitting.