Environmental permits - industrial pollution

By law, some industries must have an environmental permit before they can operate.

This is because they could pollute land, air or water, which could pose a health risk to people as well as damage the environment.

The environmental permit helps to reduce and manage this risk.

Who needs this permit

Industries that need this permit range from road stone coating plants, to animal feed mills to car body paint shops.

Some only need a permit by definition, while others only need one if they exceed specified criteria, such as throughput or the amount of solvent used.

You can check if you need an environmental permit on the GOV.UK website.

You can also contact us for advice.

Types of permit

We share responsibility for these permits with the Environment Agency and they are split into three categories:

Part A1 industrial processes

The Environment Agency regulates large-scale and more polluting industries, such as fuel and power stations, metal production and processing, mineral industries, chemical industries, waste landfill sites and other industries such as paper, pulp and board manufacturing and tar and bitumen activities.

You can find out more about and apply for an environmental permit part A1 on the Environment Agency's website.

Part A2 industrial processes

We regulate the medium risk industrial processes in terms of controlling emissions to air, land or water, as well as noise, vibration, smell, waste disposal and energy efficiency. Part A2 processes include foundries, glass making, galvanising, rendering, animal carcass incineration, ceramics and road stone coating.

You can find out more about and apply for a part A2 permit on our apply for an environmental permit page.

Part B industrial processes

We regulate the lower risk industrial processes in terms of controlling emissions to air. Part B processes include petrol stations, vehicle re-sprayers, small waste oil burners and dry cleaners. 

For a summary of the register of permit holders, see our Public register of permitted installations.

You can find out more about and apply for a part B permit on our apply for an environmental permit page.

The law covering environmental permits

Environmental permits are covered by the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.