Industrial Pollution & Chemicals

Our Work

There are a number of European policies aimed at controlling pollution from different sources, but Member States have experienced many challenges in implementing this legislation. IEEP has been extensively involved in much of the research to influence these developments. We were at the forefront of the debate that led to the birth of integrated pollution control at EU level and have continued to examine its implementation, support its review and study possible changes to its provisions.

Some European pollution policies are specific to individual types of plant or activities (e.g. combustion plants, incinerators), while the Industrial Emissions Directive has established a more comprehensive approach to the environmental management of a wide range of industrial activities.

IEEP has undertaken studies on the implementation of EU pollution control legislation and examined options for its revision. In particular we have examined issues of regulatory burden and policy coherence with other areas of EU law such as water legislation. Examples of our work are given below.

Regarding work in this area please contact: Andrew Farmer

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Pollution Control Policy

  • Case studies focusing on different types of environmental crime

    IEEP, as being part of a 40-months EU-funded research project, produced three case studies focusing on illegal e-waste shipment, illegal localised pollution incidents and illegal fishing.

  • The Manual: Chapter 4 - Industrial pollution

    This is a chapter of IEEP’s Manual of European Environmental Policy. This chapter provides information on EU industrial pollution policy, which outlines and discusses the legislation in place to minimise the negative effects of harmful substances and pollutants on the environment and human health.

  • The Manual: Chapter 8 - Chemicals

    This is a chapter of IEEP’s Manual of European Environmental Policy. This chapter on chemicals focuses on the two main strands of EU chemicals policy: REACH – (Registration, evaluation, authorisation of restricted chemicals) and CLP – (classification, labelling and packaging).

  • Environmental policy and the UK’s review of the EU Balance of Competences

    The UK Government’s Balance of Competences review has now taken evidence on 25 subject areas, including the 6 with the most relevance for the Environment. We take stock of the IEEP’s contributions, and consider what a possible UK renegotiation might mean for the environment.

  • Water Scarcity Briefings

    Water scarcity is a major threat to Europe’s waters. Three briefings have been produced summarizing research on this issue and setting out the European policy context.

  • Linking the Water Framework Directive and the IPPC Directive: Phase 2

    Integrating pollution control into river basin management is a major challenge. A report for IMPEL explores how Member States address this.

  • Linking the Water Framework Directive and the IPPC Directive

    Integrating pollution control into river basin management is a major challenge. A new report for IMPEL explores how EU addresses this interaction.

  • The challenge of regulating intensive pig farms

    A new IMPEL report written by Andrew Farmer and Megan Lewis examines the range of practices in the EU on the regulation of intensive pig farms. The environmental impacts present a number of challenges ...