Industrial Pollution Control

In Northern Ireland a new system of air pollution control arising from industrial sources was introduced in 1998. Under the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, operators of certain types of industrial processes were required to be authorised. This legislation has now been superseded by the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (link to the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 – www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2003/20030046.htm) which requires the same industrial process operators to be permit holders in order to operate. Pollution Prevention and Control introduced the concept of Best Available Techniques (BAT) to environmental regulations. Operators must now use these Best Available Techniques to control pollution from their installations. The purpose of this system is to control, limit or prevent the emission of prescribed substances. Under these regulations industrial processes are broken down into three categories (Part A, B and C installations). District Council Environmental Health Departments are responsible for regulating Part C processes whilst the Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate (IPRI) regulate Part A and B processes. Part C activities fall under the following industry headings

• Cement and lime manufacture
• Ceramic production
• Coating activities, Printing and Textile Treatments 
• Combustion activities
• Ferrous metals 
• Gasification, liquefaction and refining activities
• Incineration
• Manufacture of dyestuffs, printing ink and coating materials 
• Mineral activities
• Non- ferrous metals
• Rubber processes
• Timber processes
• Treatment and processing of animal and vegetable matter 

Process Guidance Notes  www.doeni.gov.uk/index/search.jsp/search.lsim?sr=0&nh=10&cs=iso-8859-1&sc=&sm=0&mt=1&ha=doe&qt=+process+guidance+notes ) are available for each of the Part C industrial processes listed above. This guidance sets the standards required of each industrial process and gives the time limits within which these standards are to be met.

An operator of a proposed prescribed process will need to contact Derry City Councils Environmental Department who will provide an application form, appropriate guidance documentation and information on fees and charges. The appropriate application fee must be included along with the submitted application form for it to be processed further.

The Council is also required to keep a public register of information relating to authorised or permitted industries within its area. Members of the public can view this register in Derry City Council Environmental Health Department by appointment.
Part C processes, which have been permitted in the Derry City Council area, are inspected at a frequency determined on the basis of risk assessment. This inspection regime is essential to ensure that the conditions of permits are met and that upgrading of processes to the full standards of the process guidance notes are achieved. 
 

Contact

Paul McSwiggan
Senior Environmental Health Officer
02871 376511

Mark McChrystal
District Environmental Health Officer
02871 365151
Ext 6922

Kieran Shanks
Group Environmental Health Officer
02871 365151
Ext  6914