Are you going to use an installation in your company that may significantly pollute the environment? Check if you need an integrated permit? What exactly is it and when should you apply for it?
Integrated permit – what is it?
An integrated permit is a tool in the field of environmental protection law that regulates environmental conditions and principles of operation of specific installations. It was introduced into the community legal system of the European Union by the IPPC Directive and then modified by the IED Directive. In Poland, the obligation to obtain an integrated permit has been in force since January 1, 2002.
Integrated permit and other sectoral environmental permits
One of the greatest advantages of introducing an integrated permit into the Polish legal system is the possibility of including the environmental conditions of installation operation one document. Comprehensive inclusion in the Integrated Permit of all specific aspects of the impact of the project/plant on the environment that require obtaining a decision makes it possible to no longer apply for separate sectoral environmental permits, such as:
- permission to release gases or dust into the air,
- water permit for discharging sewage into water or land,
- water law permit for water abstraction
- permission for the production, processing and collection of waste.
However, it should be remembered that having an integrated permit does not exempt you from the need to apply for a water permit if an institution or plant discharges sewage containing particularly harmful substances into the sewage system of another plant. An "other plant" collecting sewage may be either a city, district or commune water supply and sewage company, as well as another plant, e.g. a private company that owns the sewage system collecting sewage.
Importantly, the integrated permit has a broader scope than sectoral permits. In practice, this means that the documentation attached to the application for an integrated permit should specify the conditions and rules for using the environment, also in those aspects that are not taken into account by other individual sector permits (sectoral decisions). This includes, for example, noise emissions. Additionally, the application for an integrated permit should also include a description of protected areas located close to the plant and a description of the installations to be operated at the plant in relation to the BAT conclusions (best available techniques). We should also not forget about the description of protection of the ground and water environment against pollution.
Integrated permit – who is obliged to obtain it?
In accordance with the Environmental Protection Law Act of 2001 (Journal of Laws 2024.54, i.e. as amended), the obligation to obtain an integrated permit applies to installations whose operation may cause significant pollution individual natural elements or the environment as a whole. The types of installations subject to the obligation to have an integrated permit are specified in the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of August 27, 2014 on types of installations that may cause significant pollution [...] (Journal of Laws of 2014, item 1169).
The document lists six installation groups, which require obtaining an integrated permit.
- Energy and fuel generation installations, e.g. for burning fuels with a nominal power equal to or exceeding 50 MW, for coke production, for coal liquefaction,
- Installations for the production and processing of metals, among others for sintering metal ores or for casting steel, if the production capacity of the installation exceeds 20 tons of smelting per day,
- Installations in the mineral industry, e.g. for glass production, if the production capacity of the installation is greater than 20 tons of melt per day,
- Installations in the chemical industry that use chemical or biological processes for production among others organic and inorganic chemicals, simple nitrogen-based fertilizers or explosives,
- Waste management installations, used e.g. for thermal waste processing,
- Installations in other areas, among others for the production of pulp from wood or for the slaughter of animals, if the production capacity of the installation exceeds over 50 tons of carcasses per day.
The above-mentioned processes are only part of the list included in the regulation.
Application for an integrated permit – who should prepare it?
To obtain an integrated permit, the operator of the installation must: submit an application for its release. In most cases, the body authorized to consider applications and issue decisions is: Marshal of the Voivodeship in whose territory there is an installation causing significant environmental pollution. However, this is not the rule. The document may also be issued by the Mayor of a city with poviat rights or by the Poviat Starosta. In special cases, the application is considered by the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection, e.g. when the installation is located in a closed area. Closed areas include, among others: railway and military areas.
Application for issuance integrated permit it must contain a range of information not only about the installation itself, but also about the use of the environment. For this reason, it is worth entrusting its preparation to specialists.
In case of additional needs, Ekomeritum may also prepare an offer for Risk Analysis and/ or Initial report, which in some cases may be necessary to attach to the application for an integrated permit.
At EkoMeritum, we strive to ensure that people preparing documentation have many years of experience in preparing documentation for applications for integrated permits.
Do you need a carefully prepared study? Write to us or call usand you will get the necessary support.
