Industrial emissions directive: key figures
The EU regulates emissions into the air and water from industrial activities with the goal of reducing pollution.
The industrial emissions directive is the main piece of EU legislation addressing industrial pollution. It covers large industrial and livestock plants in EU countries.
The rules were revised in 2024. The figures below refer to the application of the rules before the revision.
Industrial emissions directive: key figures
The directive currently regulates:
- 30 000 large industrial plants
- 20 000 intensive livestock farms
Sectors:
- 39% Intensive rearing of poultry or pigs
- 20% Waste industries
- 10% Metals production and processing
- 9% Chemicals industries
- 7% Slaughterhouses, food products and milk
- 5% Energy industries
- 4% Mineral industries
- 2% Surface treatment
- 2% Pulp, paper or wood-based products
- 2% Other activities
The installations and farms covered by the EU rules account for:
- 20% of total emissions into the water and air in the EU
- 40% of all EU greenhouse gas emissions
Air and water pollutants covered by EU industrial emissions rules
The industrial emissions directive sets annual emission thresholds for +90 pollutants.
Some examples:
- Carbon dioxide CO2 : contributes to climate change
- Methane CH4 : contributes to climate change and to the formation of ground-level ozone
- Nitrogen dioxide NO2: can create unbalances in the environment and affects human health
- Sulphur dioxide SO2 : can harm sensitive individuals and contribute to acid deposition on aquatic ecosystems
- Particulate matter PM10: can cause premature death and contributes to climate change
- Mercury Hg: may be carcinogenic
- Ammonia NH3: very toxic to aquatic organisms and contributes to the formation of particulate matter
Source: European Commission, European Industrial Emissions Portal
Last review: 1 August 2025