EurEau welcomes today’s vote in the European Parliament to endorse the trilogue agreement on the revised Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). With this vote, MEPs chose not to delay much-needed measures to protect our water resources from industrial pollution.

The current IED, in force since 2010, regulates what substances industrial installations can release into air, water and soil through individual permits based on sector-specific guidelines known as Best Available Technique reference documents (BREFs).

The revised text endorsed in Parliament today makes emission limits stricter for most facilities, and adds water efficiency targets to future permits. It also offers better protection for urban wastewater treatment infrastructure against industrial releases to sewers.

A motion to reject the text was defeated, as was another to introduce new amendments. MEPs then approved the trilogue agreement by 393 votes to 173 against.

The text will now be put to a final vote in the Council.