Environmental Permitting
Certain industrial activities have the potential to give rise to pollution of land, air or water and require regulation. Accordingly The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (as amended) specifies which industrial processes are required to obtain an environmental permit before they are allowed to operate.
The regulations cover a diverse range of activities such as dry cleaning and the unloading of petrol at petrol stations to surface coating and treatment, manufacturers of timber and rubber products and metal foundries. Some businesses require a permit because of the kind of process they operate, whilst others only need a permit if they exceed certain specified thresholds such as solvent consumption or capacity.
The list of industrial activities covered by the environmental permitting regime is listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Regulations. This list is split into three categories:
- Part A (1)
- Part A (2)
- Part B
The Environment Agency regulates A (1) processes which are considered to be the most polluting activities and all emissions are covered by the permit. Here you can search for Part A1 installations within Wolverhampton.
Here you can search for all licenses issued to industry, business and individuals by the Environment Agency to carry out certain activities that have the potential to pollute the environment.
Local Authorities are responsible for regulating Part A (2) processes (for emissions to air, water and land) as well as the Part B activities (for emissions to air only). View all active Local Authority issued environmental permits using the link at the top of the page. This list is updated periodically.
Permit holders are obliged to take all appropriate measures to prevent or minimise pollution, in particular through the application of the best available techniques, and in accordance with the guidance note for each process (issued by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs).
Useful links:
DEFRA guidance and links relating to Environmental Permitting