EU delays revision of IPPC pollution rules

The European commission has surprised stakeholders by delaying proposals to revise the EU's 1996 integrated pollution prevention and control directive (IPPC). The plans were due to be unveiled on Tuesday but were blocked at the last minute by British trade commissioner Peter Mandelson, ENDS has learned.

The reason for the blockage remains unclear. But ENDS understands Mr Mandelson's advisors have raised concerns about the impact on certain British industrial installations of a proposal to set stricter emission limits for large combustion plants (LCPs).