Answer to a written question – German PCK Schwedt refinery – compliance with EU law of permit to increase sulphur dioxide emissions – E-001502/2025(ASW)

According to the information available on the European Industrial Emissions Portal[1], no derogation has been reported for the concerned installation and the Commission has not received any notifications of derogations as of April 2025.

However, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)[2] contains a specific emission limit value for sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from multi-fuel firing combustion plants within a refinery, set at 1000 milligrams per normal cubic meter for certain plants[3]. The Commission is currently assessing whether or not this provision applies to PCK Schwedt.

In addition, in 2022 the Commission assessed the implementation by Member States of integrated emission management techniques in mineral oil and gas refineries, as allowed by Implementing Decision 2014/738/EU[4].

The conclusion of this assessment was that these management techniques were applied correctly for SO2 emissions in the case of PCK Schwedt[5].

The Commission prioritises its enforcement efforts on cases pointing to a systemic breach of EU law[6]. Pending the verification mentioned above, at this stage the Commission does not have elements pointing to such a systemic breach in this case.

• [1] https://industry.eea.europa.eu/.
• [2] Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control), OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17-119.
• [3] IED Annex V Part 7 — Average emission limit values for multi-fuel firing combustion plants within a refinery.
• [4] Commission Implementing Decision 2014/738/EU of 9 October 2014 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions, for the refining of mineral oil and gas (notified under document C(2014) 7155), OJ L 307, 28.10.2014, p. 38-82.
• [5] Analysis and assessment of member states reports under Decision 2014 /768/ EU on integrated emission management techniques applied in mineral oil and gas refineries — final report — https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/06f33a94-9829-4eee-b187-21bb783a0fbf/library/1da74e93-af33-49bc-8c53-1981896a9b8c/details.
• [6] As set out in the communication of 19 January 2017 (EU law: Better results through better application — C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10-20) and in the communication of 13 October 2022 COM(2022) 518 final — Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers.