Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999
1999 c. 24An Act to make provision for implementing Council Directive 96/61/EC and for otherwise preventing and controlling pollution; to make provision about certain expired or expiring disposal or waste management licences; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[27th July 1999]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 General purpose of section 2 and definitions.¶
- “activities” means activities of any nature, whether—
- industrial or commercial or other activities, or
- carried on on particular premises or otherwise,
and includes (with or without other activities) the depositing, keeping or disposal of any substance; - “environmental pollution” means pollution of the air, water or land which may give rise to any harm; and for the purposes of this definition (but without prejudice to its generality)—
- “pollution” includes pollution caused by noise, heat or vibrations or any other kind of release of energy, and
- “air” includes air within buildings and air within other natural or man-made structures above or below ground.
C1C2C4C52 Regulation of polluting activities.¶
3 Prevention etc. of pollution after accidents involving offshore installations.¶
- “offshore installation” means any structure or other thing (but not a ship) in or under—
- United Kingdom territorial waters, or
- any waters mentioned in section 7(9)(b) or (c),
which is used for the purposes of, or in connection with, the exploration, development or production of petroleum; - “petroleum” has the meaning given by section 1 of the M2Petroleum Act 1998;
- “ship” has the same meaning as in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
F314 Time-limited disposal or waste management licences.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Application to Wales and Scotland.¶
F7I16 Consequential and minor amendments and repeals.¶
7 Short title, interpretation, commencement and extent.¶
- “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the M5Interpretation Act 1978;
- “modifications” includes additions, alterations and omissions and “modify” shall be construed accordingly.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Particular purposes for which provision may be made under section 2
Section 2.
Part I List of purposes¶
Preliminary¶
Permits¶
Information, publicity and consultation¶
Enforcement and offences¶
Appeals¶
General¶
Part II Supplementary provisions¶
Particular types of pollution¶
Emissions quota trading schemes: penalties¶
Determination of matters by regulators¶
Imposition of conditions¶
Charging schemes¶
Offences¶
Interpretation¶
- “functions” includes powers and duties;
- “the regulations” means regulations under section 2;
- “specified” means specified in regulations under that section.
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Consequential and minor amendments
Section 6.
Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 (c.60)¶
Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 (c.22)¶
Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c.43)¶
Water Industry Act 1991 (c.56)¶
Water Resources Act 1991 (c.57)¶
Clean Air Act 1993 (c.11)¶
Railways Act 1993 (c.43)¶
.
Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c.21)¶
Environment Act 1995 (c.25)¶
.
.
.
.
Finance Act 1996 (c.8)¶
.
Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38)¶
E1I25I26 SCHEDULE 3 ¶
Repeals
| Chapter | Short title | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 c. 60. | Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971. | In section 11A(1), the words “an authorisation granted under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or”. |
| 1984 c. 22. | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. | Section 7(4)(l). |
| 1990 c. 43. | Environmental Protection Act 1990. | Sections 1 to 28. F14... Schedule 1. |
| 1991 c. 56. | Water Industry Act 1991. | Section 138(2) to (4). In section 206(3)(a), “I or”. In section 206(4)(a), “I or”. |
| 1991 c. 57. | Water Resources Act 1991. | Section 88(1)(b). In section 204(2)(a), “I or”. In section 204(3)(a), “I or”. |
| 1991 c. 60. | Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991. | In Schedule 1, paragraph 56. |
| 1993 c. 11. | Clean Air Act 1993. | In section 33(1), the words “a process subject to Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or”. In section 35(3), the words “process subject to Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or”. Section 36(3). Section 41. |
| 1993 c. 12. | Radioactive Substances Act 1993. | In Schedule 4, paragraph 6. |
| 1994 c. 19. | Local Government (Wales) Act 1994. | In Schedule 9, paragraph 17(1). |
| 1995 c. 21. | Merchant Shipping Act 1995. | In section 136A, the words “an authorisation granted under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or”. |
| 1995 c. 25. | Environment Act 1995. | In section 5(5)(e), “I,”. In section 33(5)(e), “I,”. In section 56(1), paragraph (b) of the definition of “environmental licence” in relation to the Environment Agency and paragraph (c) of the definition of “environmental licence” in relation to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. In section 108(15)— paragraph (a) of the definition of “local enforcing authority”, in paragraph (g) of the definition of “pollution control functions” in relation to the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, “I,”, and in paragraph (a) of the definition of “pollution control functions” in relation to a local enforcing authority, “I or”. Section 111(6). In section 113(5), in the definition of “local enforcing authority”, paragraph (d) and the “or” preceding it. In section 114(2)(a)(iii), “15, 22(5),”. In Schedule 20, in paragraph 4(3)(b), “22(5),”. In Schedule 22, paragraphs 45 to 61. |
| 1996 c. 8. | Finance Act 1996. | Section 43A(4)(b) to (d). |
| 1998 c. 38. | Government of Wales Act 1998. | In Schedule 3, paragraph 6(3)(a). |
Footnotes
- M11995 c. 21
- M21998 c. 17.
- M31998 c. 38.
- M41998 c. 46.
- I1S. 6 partly in force; s. 6 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); s. 6(1) in force (E.W.) (21.3.2000) by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; s. 6(1) in force (S.) for certain purposes at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(a)
- M51978 c. 30.
- P1S. 7(2) power partly exercised (20.3.2000): 21.3.2000 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2S. 7(2) power partly exercised (14.9.2000) : 29.9.2000 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 2000/322, art. 2S. 7(2) power partly exercised (14.9.2000): 29.9.2000 appointed for specified provisions by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2
- M61990 c. 43.
- M71964 c. 29.
- M81998 c. 17.
- M91995 c. 25.
- M101990 c. 43.
- I2Sch. 2 para. 1 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 1 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 1 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I3Sch. 2 para. 2 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 2 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- I4Sch. 2 para. 3 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 3 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 3 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I5Sch. 2 para. 4 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 4 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- I6Sch. 2 para. 6 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 6 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 6 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I7Sch. 2 para. 7 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 7 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- M111995 c. 25.
- I8Sch. 2 para. 8 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 8 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- I9Sch. 2 para. 9 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 9 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 9 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I10Sch. 2 para. 10 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 10 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 10 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I11Sch. 2 para. 11 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 11 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 11 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I12Sch. 2 para. 12 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 12 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 12 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I13Sch. 2 para. 13 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 13 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- M121990 c. 43.
- I14Sch. 2 para. 14 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 14 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 14 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I15Sch. 2 para. 15 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 15 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- I16Sch. 2 para. 16 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 16 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 16 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 16 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I17Sch. 2 para. 17 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 17 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 17 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I18Sch. 2 para. 18 wholly in force; Sch. 2 para. 18 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 18 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2; Sch. 2 para. 18 in force (S.) at 29.9.2000 by S.S.I. 2000/322, art. 2(b)
- I19Sch. 2 para. 19 partly in force; Sch. 2 para. 19 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 7(3); Sch. 2 para. 19 in force (E.W.) at 21.3.2000 by S.I. 2000/800, art. 2
- E1For extent of repeals see s. 7(7).
- F1Sch. 1 para. 21A and preceding cross-heading inserted (13.11.2003) by Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 (c. 33), ss. 38, 40
- F2Sch. 1 para. 9A inserted (21.4.2005) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/925), art. 1, Sch. 6 para. 2(2)(a) (with reg. 3)
- F3Word in Sch. 1 para. 24 inserted (21.4.2005) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/925), art. 1, Sch. 6 para. 2(2)(b) (with reg. 3)
- F4Words in Sch. 1 para. 25(2)(a)(i) substituted (E.W.) (7.6.2005) by Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (c. 16), ss. 105(1)(a), 108(4) (with s. 105(2))
- F5Word in Sch. 1 para. 25(2)(a)(ii) substituted (E.W.) (7.6.2005) by Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (c. 16), ss. 105(1)(b), 108(4) (with s. 105(2))
- C1S. 2: transfer of functions (1.1.2006) by National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1958), arts. 1(1), 3
- F6Sch. 2 para. 20 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11 para. 22) the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(5) of the amending Act.
- C2S. 2: transfer of functions (10.7.2008) by Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1776), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.
- C3Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(c): transfer of functions (10.7.2008) by Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1776), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.
- F7S. 6(1) amended (17.7.2012) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), s. 206(b)
- F8Sch. 2 para. 19 amended (17.7.2012) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), s. 206(a)
- F9Sch. 1 para. 9A(1) substituted (3.12.2012) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 16(a)
- F10Words in Sch. 1 para. 9A(3) substituted (3.12.2012) by The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Charging Schemes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2788), regs. 1, 16(b)
- F11Words in s. 2(4)(a) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 395(2) (with Sch. 7)
- F12S. 2(4)(aa) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 395(3) (with Sch. 7)
- F13Words in s. 3(4)(a) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 396 (with Sch. 7)
- F14Words in Sch. 3 repealed (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), Sch. 3 para. 36; S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2), Sch.
- F15Words in s. 1(b) repealed (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), Sch. 3 para. 7(b); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2), Sch.
- F16S. 2(10) inserted (14.7.2014) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 62(13), 94(2)(n)
- F17Word in Sch. 1 para. 25(2)(a)(ii) substituted (S.) (28.10.2004) by Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 8), s. 145(2), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.S.I. 2004/420, art. 3, Sch. 1
- F18Sch. 1 para. 25(2)(a)(ii) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 90 (with reg. 5(2))
- I20S. 6(1) in force at 1.4.2015 for specified purposes for S. by S.S.I. 2015/74, art. 2(1)
- I21Sch. 2 para. 13 in force at 1.4.2015 for S. by S.S.I. 2015/74, art. 2(1)
- I22Sch. 2 para. 15 in force at 1.4.2015 for S. by S.S.I. 2015/74, art. 2(1)
- I23S. 6(2) in force at 1.4.2015 for specified purposes for S. by S.S.I. 2015/74, art. 2(2)
- I24S. 6(2) in force at 1.4.2015 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2015/139, art. 3
- I25Sch. 3 in force at 1.4.2015 for specified purposes for S. by S.S.I. 2015/74, art. 2(2) (as amended (31.3.2015) by S.S.I. 2015/139, arts. 1(2), 2)
- I26Sch. 3 in force at 1.4.2015 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2015/139, art. 3
- C4S. 2 functions made exercisable concurrently or jointly with the Welsh Ministers by 2006 c. 32, Sch. 3A para. 1 (as inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 4 para. 1 (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(p))
- C5S. 2 functions transferred (24.5.2018) by The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644), arts. 1(1), 36(1) (with art. 36(2))
- F19S. 1(1)(a) substituted (17.9.2018) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/942), regs. 1(2), 4(2)(a)
- F20Words in s. 1(3)(e) substituted (17.9.2018) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/942), regs. 1(2), 4(2)(b)
- F21Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(a)(b) omitted (17.9.2018) by virtue of The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/942), regs. 1(2), 4(3)(a)
- F22Sch. 1 para. 3(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 4(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
- F23Sch. 1 para. 20(2A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 4(3)(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
- F24Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 4(3)(b)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
- F25Sch. 1 para. 20(1)(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/458), regs. 1(1), 4(3)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
- F26Sch. 1 para. 20(2)(d)-(ii) inserted by S.I. 2019/458, reg. 4(3)(b)(iii) (as inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environment (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/603), regs. 1, 2(3)(b))
- F27Sch. 1 para. 4 renumbered as Sch. 1 para. 4(1) (9.1.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 70(a), 147(2)(i) (with s. 144)
- F28Sch. 1 para. 4(2) inserted (9.1.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 70(b), 147(2)(i) (with s. 144)
- F29Words in Sch. 1 para. 25(2)(a)(i) substituted (E.W.) (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1 table
- F30Word in Sch. 1 para. 3(b) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 42
- F31S. 4 repealed (E.W.) (6.4.2008) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3538), reg. 1(1)(b), Sch. 21 para. 26, Sch. 23 (with reg. 72, Sch. 4); and (S.) (1.11.2025) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/165), reg. 1(2), sch. 21 para. 1 (with sch. 23)
- F32Sch. 2 para. 5 repealed (E.W.) (6.4.2008) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3538), reg. 1(1)(b), Sch. 23 (with reg. 72, Sch. 4); and (S.) (1.11.2025) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/165), reg. 1(2), sch. 21 para. 1 (with sch. 23)