What is pollution prevention and control?

These guidelines apply to Northern Ireland and Scotland only. If you operate your business in England or Wales, see the NetRegs guidance on environmental permitting.

Pollution prevention and control (PPC) regulates certain types of business, such as those carrying out:

• power generation
• manufacturing and other industrial activities
• waste management activities
• intensive pig and poultry farming
• activities involving solvents
• the operation of a landfill site.

If you carry out an activity covered by the PPC regime, you must have a PPC permit from your environmental regulator or local council and comply with the conditions it contains.

PPC is divided into different categories in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

• In Northern Ireland it is divided into Part A, Part B and Part C.
• In Scotland it is divided into Part A and Part B.

If you have a PPC Part A, it controls a broad range of environmental impacts including:

• emissions to air, land and water
• energy efficiency
• waste reduction
• raw materials consumption
• noise, vibration and heat
• accident prevention
• the condition of your site.

Part B and, in Northern Ireland, Part C permits control emissions to air from affected businesses.

• In Northern Ireland, the Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate (IPRI) regulates Part A and Part B sites and district councils regulate Part C sites.
• In Scotland, SEPA regulates Part A and Part B sites.

In this guideline: