European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register

Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, adopted on 18 January 2006, established the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR). This regulation aimed to enhance transparency and public access to environmental data by creating a comprehensive register of pollutant releases and transfers from industrial facilities across the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Key Objectives: -> Public Access to Environmental Data: The regulation mandated the establishment of a publicly accessible electronic database to provide information on pollutant releases and transfers from industrial facilities.​ -> Implementation of the UNECE Protocol: It aimed to implement the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers, facilitating public participation in environmental decision-making and contributing to pollution prevention and reduction.​ -> Amendment of Existing Directives: The regulation amended Council Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC to align them with the new requirements for pollutant release and transfer reporting.​

Scope and Coverage: -> The E-PRTR included data on 91 pollutants, such as greenhouse gases, heavy metals, pesticides, and chlorinated organic substances. -> Industrial facilities engaged in 65 specified activities were required to report their pollutant releases and transfers. These activities encompassed sectors like energy production, metal production, chemical manufacturing, and mineral industries. -> Facilities were obligated to report releases to air, water, and land, as well as off-site transfers of pollutants present in waste-water and waste.​

UPDATE: The regulation was amended by subsequent legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2019/1010 and Regulation (EU) 2019/1243, to update reporting obligations and improve data quality.​

On 24 April 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 repealed Regulation (EC) No 166/2006. However, data for the year 2026 will still be reported under the provisions of the former regulation, with publication scheduled for 2027. Facilities are expected to submit their first reports under the new regulation in 2028.​

*Update:
The Industrial Emissions Portal Regulation (IEPR) replaces the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Regulation (E-PRTR)

🔗 EC, EP