The purpose of this consultation is to obtain feedback on a set of proposed changes associated with the implementation of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) EU/2015/2193  

The MCPD aims to control and reduce the worst emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and dust emissions across the European Union. 

In January 2018 the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations (EPR) (2018 No110) were published to bring the requirements of the MCPD into law making the Environment Agency the regulator in England. It also introduced controls for specified generators to further reduce emissions of NOx. 

The EPR allows for them to develop and maintain standard rules permits for medium combustion plant (MCP) and specified generators (SG) covering specific activities. Since 2018 they have consulted and previously published several standard rules permits which cover a range of low-risk activities. They are now reviewing the standard rules permits available and are asking for feedback on the changes proposed as well as how they can improve the offering in the future.  

The proposed changes in this consultation include: 

• corrections to errors in existing standard rule set tables 

• removal of specific standard rules sets which are currently underutilised  

• addition of gas oil substitutes as a fuel  

• addition of hydrogen as a fuel 

• removal of restrictions on caps and cowls and horizontal stacks 

A separate consultation is planned on changes to MCP & SG Standard rules 2018 No 1 & 4 to implement the requirements of EPR schedule 25C - decarbonisation readiness. The responses to both consultations will be considered together and will inform any published changes to the MCP & SG standard rule sets, associated generic risk assessments and guidance.  

You can find the consultation document with the details of the proposals in the related section below.

• Consultation response form
• Consultation document - proposed amendments to standard rules for MCP & SG