Continuous emission monitoring ensuring cleaner air and better safety

Gasmet Technologies: Emission monitoring refers to the ongoing processes of collecting data on the gases and components released in the air by industrial plants. At Gasmet, we strive to help our customers achieving environmental compliance and process know-how. In this article, we take you to the essentials of emissions monitoring.

Several EU directives and national laws in European countries set requirements for continuous monitoring of flue gas emissions at waste incinerators, power plants, cement plants, and other industrial plants. The demand for emission measurements has only increased and the limit values tightened in recent years, and the trend will undoubtedly continue.

What is emission monitoring?

By regular and continuous industrial air emission monitoring at industrial settings, researchers and air quality controllers aim to find out what industrial plants emit to the atmosphere, and whether the findings are within the limits approved by the local authorities.

Despite the modern and efficient industrial gas purification systems, it is possible that industrial plants discharge small amounts of pollutants that are harmful to health and the environment, which is why continuous emission monitoring is needed. Even though emission monitoring is a standard and fairly straightforward process for all industrial plants, it is of the utmost importance: it protects nature and human beings proactively and ensures the safety of us all.

The local emission limits are determined in environmental permits, which each industrial plant is bound to follow, and are not allowed to operate without one. Moreover, industrial plants are juridically liable for controlling and measuring their own emissions on a regular basis. In addition to the ongoing monitoring processes by the plants themselves, accredited laboratories, also referred as “stack testers”, do standardized spot checks on the emissions and emission processing equipment regularly.

What is the Industrial Emission Directive (IED)?

The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) is the main EU legislation to control industrial emissions in the EU. The IED outlines the requirements for emission monitoring in industrial plants.

The overall intention of the Industrial Emission Directive is to provide an integrated approach to the prevention and control of emissions into the various environmental media while striking a commercial balance for businesses.

What are the key changes in the updated IED?

On April 2022, the European Commission (EC) released a proposal to revise the IED. After comprehensive discussions in the parliament and council, the parliament formally adopted the revision on March, 2024. 

The updated Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2.0 introduces pivotal changes to emission control for industries across the EU. With an expanded scope and stricter limits, this directive not only aligns with the European Green Deal but also broadens environmental accountability by including the battery manufacturing sector. To help you understand the implications for your business and the required steps for compliance, we’ve summarized the essential updates, so keep on reading more on Gasmet website.