Industry Regulation

Like all UK activities with the potential to impact on the people and environment around them, cement operations in the UK are, quite rightly, closely monitored and carefully regulated.

The main regulator is the Environment Agency, whose job it is to ensure that all emissions to land, air and water are avoided or controlled within safe limits. The process under which the Environment Agency controls industry is known as the Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control Directive (IPPC) which is being implemented across all EU member states to improve standards of environmental protection.

Cement was one of the first industrial sectors to have to register its individual operations under the IPPC regulations, effectively establishing benchmarks against which its environmental performance can be measured.

The industry worked with the Environment Agency on the development of a sector plan containing performance indicators to allow improvement measurement for agreed key objectives:

• Reduce consumption of natural resources per tonne of cement manufactured
• Reduce the amount of cement process waste residues disposed of per tonne of cement produced
• Reduce emissions from cement manufacturing
• Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases per tonne of cement manufactured
• Optimise the sustainable use of wastes from other industries or sources
• Develop site restoration plans and biodiversity action plans
• Improve tranparency, understanding and engagement between the Environment Agency, industry and other stakeholders
• Work to risk-based regulatory and environmental management systems
• Promote product stewardship and wider supply chain benefits

The plan plays a major role in demonstrating transparency and achievements as part of the cement industry's overall approach to openness and public consultation, as well as set out plans for delivering real environmental benefits. Progress against objectives is published annually in Performance, the industry's corporate responsibility report.

The Environment Agency also has a vital part to play when individual cement plants wish to introduce waste derived fuels, ensuring that no such change can be made that could be detrimental to the local environment or community.  While companies will usually mount their own public consultation programmes, the Agency may also hold exhibitions and meetings.