How to apply for an IE licence

How to apply for a licence 

When applying to the EPA for an Industrial Emissions Licence you must satisfy a number of legislative requirements.  The main ones include:

• The EPA (Industrial Emissions) (Licensing) Regulations, 2013 (S.I. No. 137 of 2013) as amended by the EPA(Industrial Emissions)(Licensing)(Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 190 of 2020);
• European Union (Industrial Emissions) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No.138 of 2013); and
• The Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 as amended.

 Before making an application, make sure you:

• check if you need a licence – refer to the First Schedule to the EPA Act;
• register on the EPA online system (EDEN);
• erect a site notice on the site indicating that you propose to apply for a licence;
• publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in the area and
• notify the relevant planning authority.

We recommend that you engage in pre-application clarification/consultation before submitting your application. Requirements in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be discussed at this stage. Contact licensing@epa.ie  if you wish to arrange a pre-application meeting.

 When making an application, make sure you:

• use the specified application form on EDEN;
• answer all questions and submit all documentation requested (incomplete applications may be returned);
• pay attention to any relevant BAT Guidance Note(s) available from the EPA; and
• submit all necessary supporting documentation including the relevant fee (waivers and refunds of application and objection fees may be allowed in certain limited circumstances).

If your application does not comply with the regulations, we may request additional information to achieve compliance. Where such a request is not fully complied with, we may:

• Repeat the request one month after the original deadline;
• On receipt of an adequate response, decide to proceed with the determination; or 
• In the absence of a response, or where the response is deemed inadequate, initiate proceedings to declare the application abandoned.

An ‘adequate response’ is defined as one that fully addresses all queries in the Agency’s request for further information with sufficient information and detail to allow the inspector to progress the application.

Further Guidance

Licence application guidance for applicants

Financial Provision for Environmental Liabilities 

Industrial Emissions Directive FAQs 

Industrial Emissions Legislation

Learn More

All documentation received in respect of a licence application is available to view on this website. Find out more about Public access to licensing files.

If you need further information, contact the Environmental Licensing Programme at

Office of Environmental Sustainability
PO Box 3000
Johnstown Castle Estate
County Wexford

Telephone Locall 0818 33 55 99 or 053 91 60600
Email licensing@epa.ie