EU Waste Incineration Directive 2000/87/EC has introduced stringent operating conditions and sets minimum technical requirements for waste incineration and co-incineration. The requirements of the Directive have been developed to reflect the ability of incineration plants to more cost effectively achieve high standards of emission control in comparison to the 1980s. It covers virtually all waste incineration and co-incineration plants.

Following a consultation paper we published in June 2002, Regulations came into effect on 28 December 2002 in order to implement the Directive. Accompanying Directions have been made, to instruct the Regulators (the Environment Agency or the Local Authority) to implement the Regulations, and the UK Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have now produced Guidance on the Directive.

DEFRA's Guidance describes the scope, and regulatory and technical requirements of the Waste Incineration Directive. The guide is aimed at operators of incineration and co-incineration plant, regulators, waste producers and waste managers, all of whom will be affected by the implementation of the Directive. The Guidance includes the text of the Directions, the Regulations and the Directive.

DEFRA is looking for comments by May 16.

The guidance is available from DEFRA's website as follows:

Executive Summary only (0.02MB)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/wasteincin/pdf/wid_guidance_execsumm.pdf

Full text of Guidance (including Directions, Regulations and Directive) (0.86MB)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/wasteincin/pdf/wid_guidance_pb8005.pdf

Covering letter sent to consultees (0.02MB)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/wasteincin/pdf/wid_guidance_letter.pdf

Printed copies are available from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX, Tel: 08459 556000, Fax: 020 8957 5012, Email: defra@iforcegroup.com. Please quote reference "PB8005"

Individual directions, regulations and directives are available as follows:

Pollution Prevention and Control (Waste Incineration Directive) (England and Wales) Direction 2002 (15kb)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/wasteincin/pdf/wid_ppc_direction02.pdf

The Environmental Protection (Waste Incineration Directive) (England) Direction 2002 (15kb)
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/wasteincin/pdf/wid_epa_direction02.pdf

The Waste Incineration (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2980 (UK Statutory Instruments are available at the Her Majesty's Stationery Office web site)
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022980.htm

Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste (140kb) (the general index to European Union legal documents is at this site)
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/2000/en_2000L0076_do_001.pdf