Source: European Parliament
Waste incineration is regulated by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)[1], which contains emission limit values and associated monitoring requirements for pollutants including heavy metals and its compounds and dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) . Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions[2] also impose more stringent rules to waste incinerators over a certain size.
The Commission has already taken steps to address contamination from waste incineration through an ongoing discussion in the industrial emissions expert group on monitoring of biological markers around waste incinerators which started in 2022[3].
In addition , Article 48 of the revised IED[4] has made monitoring of emissions to air from waste incinerators more stringent, as it will be required not only during normal operating conditions but also during other conditions, including PCDD/F and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Furthermore, in line with Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the reduction of contamination at source, the same article requires emissions of PCDD/F and PCBs to be prevented or minimised as far as possible.
These substances are also included in Annex III to the regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants[5], requiring Member States to identify, characterise and minimise releases, with the objective to eliminate them where feasible.
The Commission will monitor the implementation of the provisions of Article 48 and will continue exchanges with experts from Member States, so as to take potential additional measures.
The Commission recalls that the primary responsibility for correctly implementing EU law lies with the Member States.
- [1] Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (recast), OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17-119.
- [2] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2010 of 12 November 2019 establishing the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for waste incineration, C/2019/7987, OJ L 312, 3.12.2019, p. 55-91.
- [3] Meeting of the Industrial Emissions Expert Group held on 20 September 2022, https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/meetings/consult?lang=en&meetingId=44437.
- [4] Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, PE/87/2023/REV/1, OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024.
- [5] Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (recast), PE/61/2019/REV/1, OJ L 169, 25.6.2019, p. 45-77.