The new Finnish EPD has entered into force on 10 September 2014 following the entering into force of the new EPA on 1 September 2014. The EPD supplements the EPA, which implemented the EU Directive on industrial emissions (2010/75/EU). The EPD is largely based on its predecessor, but imposes certain new regulations deriving from the Directive.
The EPD provides for new regulations to be complied with by the national permit and supervisory authorities in permit proceedings and in supervision of the installations referred to in the Directive. Also, the EPD provides for certain time limits to be applied by the authorities in the procedure of revision of permits of the relevant installations as well as for somewhat stricter requirements regarding reporting grounds for permits in respect of compliance with the applied BAT (best available techniques). In addition, the EPD provides that the authorities’ supervision shall be based on the risks caused to the environment by the relevant operation and shall be carried out on the basis of prepared plans. The EPD also introduces certain changes in distribution of work of the permit authorities within e.g. chemical industry and waste management industry.
The Finnish environmental legislation is currently being reviewed, the EPA and the EPD being a part of that procedure. Further, the need for amending other environmental regulation shall be assessed regarding, e.g., easing and clarifying of different permit procedures. According to the Ministry of the Environment, a new government bill is intended to be given at the end of October 2014 regarding combining of the environmental permit and excavation permit procedures and simplifying other permit procedures.
For further information, please contact
Christoffer Waselius
Partner