Establishing an industrial emissions portal [EU Legislation in Progress]

Written by Vivienne Halleux (2nd edition, updated on 07.07.2023).

The European Green Deal envisages a review of measures addressing pollution from large industrial installations, with a view to aligning existing legislation with the EU’s zero pollution ambition, as well as its energy, climate and circular economy policy goals. On 5 April 2022, the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise the Industrial Emissions Directive, the main European Union instrument regulating pollutant emissions from industry, together with a proposal to revise the Regulation establishing the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register, related to environmental information. The proposal aims at upgrading the existing register to a more comprehensive and integrated industrial emissions portal, enabling more accurate monitoring of the environmental performance of large industrial activities. The main changes proposed include better alignment with the Industrial Emissions Directive, both in terms of activities covered and reporting level; inclusion of reporting on the use of resources; and integration in the database of additional relevant environmental data reported under other related EU legislation.

In Parliament, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), responsible for the file, adopted its report on 24 May 2023. The report awaits a vote in plenary during the July 2023 session. If adopted, it would form Parliament’s position for negotiations with the Council.

Version

• July 2023: Establishing an industrial emissions portal (2nd edition)