Explanatory note

These Regulations provide for the implementation of the European Parliament and Council Directive 94/67/EC on the incineration of hazardous waste, by amending the Industrial Pollution Control (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (“the principal Regulations”).

Regulations 2 designates all hazardous waste incineration plants (to which the Directive applies) as Part A processes under the principal Regulations, which are thereby made subject to integrated central control by the Department’s Chief Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspector under the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

Regulation 3 amends Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations (rules for the interpretation of Schedule 1).

Regulation 4 provides that hazardous waste incineration plants (within the meaning of the Directive) which are not already Part A processes and which were first operated before 31st December 1996 will be made subject to the new controls by 31st December 1999, or, if they apply for a new authorisation by that date, by the date when the application is determined. Such hazardous waste incineration plants which were first operated on or after 31st December 1996 will become subject to the new controls immediately.

Copies of the Directives specified in the Regulations may be obtained from the Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.