Serwis informacyjno-usługowy dla przedsiębiorcy

Operation of plants and devices affecting the environment

The operation of plants should not result in exceeding the environmental quality standards.

The operation of plants causing the release of gas or particulates into the air, emission of noise and generation of electromagnetic fields also should not exceed the environmental quality standards outside the area, to which the facility has a legal title.

If, in connection with the operation of the plant a ​​limited use zone has been established, the operation of the plant should not result in exceeding the environmental quality standards outside this zone.

If an industrial zone has been established, the operation of the plant within it should not result in exceeding the environmental quality standards and benchmarks outside the boundaries of the industrial zone.

  • Emission standards 

The operator of the plant and the user of the device are required to secure their proper exploitation consisting, in particular of:

1) the use of fuels, raw materials and consumables which ensure the reduction of their negative impact on the environment;

2) taking appropriate action in the event of a disruption in the technological process and technical operations in order to reduce their environmental impacts.

Appropriate emission standards have been developed in order to evaluate the performance of the above requirements. They illustrate the requirements for the content of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter in flue gases depending on the type of fuel used (liquid, solid, gas), the type of plant and year of production.  These standards also limit the emission of particulates relating to the production and use of asbestos and the use of organic solvents the production of titanium.  More on this topic in the article "Emission standards"

  • Measuring emissions and water consumption

The plant operator and the user of devices are required to measure emissions and the amount of water consumed.  The measurements are carried out periodically or continuously.  The latter are necessary in the event of the introduction into the environment of substantial amounts of substances or energy, and are usually associated with the obligation of possessing emission permits or a water law permit.   The above requirement may be imposed on the entrepreneur also by a separate decision, if the survey results indicate that the emission standards have been exceeded. 

In the case of a newly constructed plant or a plant altered in a significant way, the emission of which requires the issuance of a permit, its managing entity is additionally required to carry out preliminary measurements of the emissions from the plant. This should be done within 14 days of the end of the system start-up or start-up of the device, unless the authority competent to issue the permit described a different term in the permit.

The scope of the obligation of the measurements is related to the type of plant or device, the parameters characterizing their performance or the power of the plant.  It may also be conditioned by the date of manufacture of the device or plant.  More in the article titled "Principles of making measurements of emission and consumption of water"

The mentioned measurements can be carried out by:

1) an accredited laboratory or

2) certified research units.

The operator of the plant and the user of the device may carry out the emission measurements by themselves if they are have a quality management system certificate and own a laboratory. The condition is that the laboratory should also be included in the quality management system.

Continuous emission measurements should provide the ability to automatically record continuous results by the measuring instrument.  At the same time, the operator of the plant and the user of the device are required to record the results of the measurements and store them for five years from the end of the calendar year to which they relate.

The results of the measurements the plant operator and the user of the device submit to the voivodship environmental protection inspector.  More on this topic in the article titled "Principles of making measurements of emission and consumption of water"

  • Registration of the plant of device

The plant, the emission of which does not require a permit, but which may have a negative impact on the environment anyway (for example by crossing the emission standards), is subject to a registration with the environmental protection authorities.  Their list has been published in the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of July 2nd, 2010 on the types of plants, the operation of which requires registration.

The registration must be done prior to the commencement of operation. However, the commencement of operation of a newly constructed plant or a plant altered in a significant way can proceed only if the competent authority for the registration does not draw an objection by means of decision within 30 days of receipt of the registration.  Registration of plants already in operation should be made by the operator ​​within six months from the date on which they became subject to this requirement.  Resigning from the star-up of operation of the plant or closing the operation of the plant is also subject of a registration. More on this topic in the article titled "Registration of a plant with the environment protection authorities"

Note - Means of transportation in terms of emissions to air should meet the environmental requirements specified in the Road Traffic Act or the implementing rules issued to it.

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