Who needs an industrial emissions licence?

The EPA grants and enforces Industrial Emissions (IE) licences for specified industrial and agricultural activities.  These are listed in the First Schedule to the EPA Act.

The types of industry* which may require an Industrial Emissions licence include:

  • Minerals and other materials
  • Energy
  • Metals
  • Mineral Fibres and Glass
  • Chemicals
  • Intensive Agriculture (poultry and pigs)
  • Food and Drink
  • Wood, Paper, Textiles and Leather
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Cement, Lime and Magnesium Oxide
  • Waste
  • Surface Coatings
  • Other Activities (includes testing of engines, manufacture of printed circuit boards, production of lime, the manufacture of ceramic products, the capture of CO2 streams and treatment of waste water).

* Some activities only require an EPA licence above specified thresholds.

If you are planning to start a new activity which requires an industrial emissions licence you must have a licence first. It is an offence to carry on a licensable activity without a licence from the EPA.

 

Who needs an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC)licence?

The EPA grants and enforces Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licences for specified industrial and agricultural activities.  These are listed in the First Schedule to the EPA Act.

The types of industry* which may require an Industrial Emissions licence include:

  • Minerals and Other Materials
  • Metals
  • Mineral Fibres and Glass
  • Chemicals
  • Food and Drink
  • Textiles and Leather
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Cement
  • Waste (class 11.1)
  • Surface Coatings
  • Other Activities (includes testing of engines, manufacture of integrated circuits and printed circuit boards, production of lime and manufacture of ceramics)

Some of the classes are subject to thresholds. 

* Some activities only require an EPA licence above specified thresholds. If you are carrying on an activity that is below a threshold you must ensure that you do not exceed that threshold without having an IPC licence.

If you are planning to start a new activity which requires an IPC licence you must have a licence first. It is an offence to carry on a licensable activity without a licence from the EPA.

Do you need an IPC or a Waste Licence?

If you are carrying on IPC and Waste activities you can ask the EPA to make a declaration as to whether an IPC or Waste licence is required.  Such a declaration may also be made by the EPA of its own volition.  For more information, see Section 39A of the Waste Management Act 1996 as amended.