Editorial note

Council Directive 84/360/EEC of 28 June 1984 requires Member States to combat air pollution from stationary industrial plants. The purpose of the Directive is to provide further measures and procedures for the prevention and reduction of air pollution from industrial plants, especially those listed in Annex I (Article 1). The Directive defines ‘emission limit values’ to be the concentration and/or mass of polluting substances in emissions from plants during a specified period which is not to be exceeded (Article 2(5)). Prior authorisation by competent authorities is required for the operation or substantial alteration of the plants listed in Annex I (Article 3). Such authorisation can only be issued where all appropriate preventive measures against air pollution have been taken, the use of the plant will not cause significant air pollution particularly from the emission of Annex II substances, the emission limit values will not be exceeded, and the applicable air quality limit values will be taken into account (Article 4). Member States may define particularly polluted areas for which more stringent emission limit values may be fixed, or areas to be specially protected for which more stringent air quality limit values and emission limit values may be fixed (Article 5).

The Directive provides that applications for authorisation must include a description of the plant and the necessary information for the decision to be made (Article 6). Subject to the provisions regarding commercial secrecy, Member States are required to exchange information among themselves and with the Commission regarding their experience and knowledge of measures for the prevention and reduction of air pollution, as well as information regarding technical processes and equipment (Article 7).