Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission
21.4.2020
The Commission is aware of the Salonit Anhovo cement kiln. This installation falls within the scope of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)[1] and is therefore obliged to hold a permit conforming to the requirements of the IED. The permit has been updated recently and should be in line with the Best Available Techniques conclusions for cement production[2]. As required, the permit is available on the Internet[3].
In addition, the installation is required to report annually its pollutant emissions to the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), where these are made publicly available. The emissions from this installation can be consulted at the E-PRTR website[4].
The Commission is not aware of any breach of IED requirements by this installation. The national competent authorities in charge of IED implementation[5] are primarily responsible for issuing the permit, verifying compliance, addressing any problem and determining the measures to achieve its objectives.
The installation is also covered by the EU Emission Trading Scheme Directive (ETS) under which the installation must surrender every year a number of greenhouse gases emission permits equal to its emissions. The installation has fulfilled its obligations under the ETS Directive.
More generally, reduction of air pollution from industry contributes to a Member State’s compliance with the directive on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants[6].
The communication on the European Green Deal[7] announced that the Commission will adopt in 2021 a Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil. It also announced that the Commission will review the IED.
- [1] OJ, L334, 17.12.2010, p. 17.
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2013.100.01.0001.01.ENG
- [3] The issued permits are accessible under this link: http://okolje.arso.gov.si/ippc/tabela/15/crka/S
- [4] https://prtr.eea.europa.eu/#/facilitydetails?FacilityID=6041&ReportingYear=2017
- [5] The competent authorities are the Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (ARSO http://www.arso.gov.si/ , Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning https://www.gov.si/en/state-authorities/ministries/ministry-of-the-environment-and-spatial-planning/ and Inspectorate for Environment and Spatial Planning (IRSOP https://www.gov.si/en/state-authorities/bodies-within-ministries/inspectorate-for-the-environment-and-spatial-planning/ )
- [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2016.344.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2016:344:TOC
- [7] COM(2019) 640 final.