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Regulation of Industrial Processes
The EP regime is a single environmental permitting and compliance system that simplifies and combines pollution prevention and control (PPC) and waste management licensing (WML).
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) introduced a new regime of regulating industries that emit significant levels of air pollution. The Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 (PPCA) takes this one step further by integrating air pollution with water pollution, land contamination, energy use and accident prevention for certain larger industrial sites.
The activities controlled by this regime are divided into 3 categories and are regulated by 2 different bodies.
- Part A(1) – The Environment Agency
The Environment Agency regulates what is considered to be the most polluting of the 3 industrial categories, A(1) activities. These are regulated for emissions to land, air, water and other environmental considerations. Examples of A(1) activities are Landfill Sites and Hazardous Waste Incinerators. - Part A(2) and B – Local Authority (North Hertfordshire District Council)
Local Authorities regulate the comparatively less polluting A(2) activities, for example the manufacture of plywood or glass, as well as the lesser polluting Part B activities which are regulated for emissions to air only. Examples of Part B activities include Petrol Stations, Dry Cleaners, Vehicle Re-Sprayers and Crematoria.
If an industrial process is required by law to have a part A (2) or B permit in place, the operating company must make a formal application to the Environmental Protection Team at NHDC. The application must contain detailed information on exactly what will be undertaken at the site and the effects it may have on air quality and must be accompanied by the relevant fee. These fees are reviewed and set each year by the Secretary of State and are published on the DEFRA website.
Application forms are available from the Environmental Protection Team.
New applications may have to be advertised in the local press for public consultation and other government bodies such as the Environment Agency or Natural England may be consulted.
Regular inspections will be carried out by the authorising body, be that NHDC or the Environment Agency to ensure that the operator of the process is complying with the conditions found within the Permit. Conditions help the operator control pollution which might arise from the ordinary running of his business and may include:
- setting emission limits
- requirements for the handling and storage of certain materials
- equipment maintenance
- introducing monitoring systems
- encouraging the use of more environmentally sound products
Information about the different types of industries and processes which fall under this regime can be found in the Pollution Prevention and Control section of the DEFRA website.
List of Part B activities currently permitted by NHDC (26.8KB) 
Contact Details
To contact the Environmental Protection Team for further information or to submit an application, please contact them via the Customer Service Centre on 01462 474000, at service@north-herts.gov.uk or at:
Environmental Protection Team
North Hertfordshire District Council
Council Offices
Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
Herts
SG6 3JF
