Environmental planning & licensing # EPA & IPC licence consultants in Ireland Verdé provides EPA licence application and environmental compliance advice in Ireland, including IPC, Industrial Emissions and waste licensing. The right authorisation depends on your activity, scale and site—not simply your business sector. ## Key takeaways - Check the activity and applicable thresholds before choosing an EPA licence or local-authority permit. - IPC, Industrial Emissions and waste licences are distinct authorisations; the terms are not interchangeable. - Verdé supports applications, environmental assessments and ongoing compliance; the EPA decides whether to grant an EPA licence. - Planning permission and environmental licensing are separate processes that may need to be coordinated. Last updated 12 October 2026 · Named reviewer not yet confirmed. On this page: [Licence types](#licence-types) · [Who this is for](#licence-fit) · [Application steps](#licence-process) · [Verdé’s support](#licence-support) · [Questions answered](#licence-questions) · [Terms explained](#licence-terms) · [Sources](#licence-sources) · [Discuss your site](#licence-contact) ## Which EPA licence does your activity need? Choose the licence route by the activity and its thresholds. IPC, Industrial Emissions and waste licences address different regulatory requirements; a sector label alone is not enough to decide. EPA licence types: a starting-point comparison, not a licensing determination | Licence | What it means | When it may apply | What to check | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | IPC licence | Integrated Pollution Control | Certain industrial activities listed in the First Schedule to the EPA Act, where IPC rather than IE licensing applies. | Check the activity class and threshold; follow EPA IPC application guidance.Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. | | IE licence | Industrial Emissions | Industrial installations and certain waste activities subject to the Industrial Emissions licensing regime. | Confirm the applicable activity class, capacity and BAT requirements with current EPA guidance.Source: [EPA: Industrial Emissions Directive FAQs](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/industrial-emissions-directive-faqs/) · checked 12 October 2026. | | Waste licence | EPA authorisation for specified waste activities | Specified waste disposal and recovery activities; not every waste facility requires an EPA waste licence. | Check whether an EPA licence, local-authority permit, registration or exemption applies.Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. | ### IPC licence Meaning Integrated Pollution Control When it may apply Certain industrial activities listed in the First Schedule to the EPA Act, where IPC rather than IE licensing applies. What to check Check the activity class and threshold; follow EPA IPC application guidance. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### IE licence Meaning Industrial Emissions When it may apply Industrial installations and certain waste activities subject to the Industrial Emissions licensing regime. What to check Confirm the applicable activity class, capacity and BAT requirements with current EPA guidance. Source: [EPA: Industrial Emissions Directive FAQs](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/industrial-emissions-directive-faqs/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### Waste licence Meaning EPA authorisation for specified waste activities When it may apply Specified waste disposal and recovery activities; not every waste facility requires an EPA waste licence. What to check Check whether an EPA licence, local-authority permit, registration or exemption applies. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. Waste authorisation is not always an EPA licence: EPA guidance lists four possible outcomes—exemption, licence, waste facility permit or registration. Check the applicable route before starting a new activity. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ## Who this licensing advice is for This service is for businesses planning a new activity, changing a site or managing existing environmental obligations in Ireland. It is not a replacement for an EPA decision, planning permission or emergency spill assistance. ### A useful starting point if you are - Checking whether a proposed industrial or waste activity requires authorisation. - Preparing a licence application or considering changes to an existing licensed site. - Coordinating planning, environmental assessments, monitoring and reporting. ### Use a different route for - An active oil spill: use [Verdé’s 24/7 oil spill service](https://verde.ie/oil-spill-clean-up). - A public licence lookup: use the [EPA licensing information](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/). - A local-authority waste permit: confirm the relevant authorisation rather than assuming an EPA licence is required. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ## What happens during a licence application? Start by confirming the route, then prepare the site evidence and follow the application requirements. The regulator assesses the submission; Verdé’s role is advisory, not approval-granting. Four-stage application journey — stages, not a promised timetable 1. Stage 1 Check the licensing routeDescribe the process, materials, capacity, emissions and location. Compare the activity with the relevant legislation and EPA guidance before starting an application. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. 2. Stage 2 Prepare the evidenceIdentify the planning documentation, site information, emissions assessments, BAT assessment and environmental reports needed for your specific application. Use EPA pre-application clarification where appropriate. Source: [EPA: IE licence application guidance](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/how-to-apply-for-an-ie-licence/ie-licence-application-guidance/) · checked 12 October 2026. 3. Stage 3 Submit the applicationFollow the applicable notice and notification requirements, complete the specified form, provide supporting documents and pay the relevant EPA fee. IPC applications use EDEN, the EPA’s online system. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. 4. Stage 4 Respond and maintain complianceRespond to requests for further information. If a licence is granted, follow its conditions and the monitoring and reporting requirements that apply to the site. Approval and timing are not guaranteed. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. For IPC applications, EPA guidance identifies five preparation actions: check the licence requirement, register on EDEN, erect a site notice, publish a newspaper notice and notify the planning authority. These are not the whole application checklist. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ## What Verdé can help you prepare Verdé’s existing environmental planning and licensing service covers assessments, licence and permit support, monitoring and compliance reporting. Agree the scope for your site before commissioning work; not every assessment below is required for every application. ### Site-dependent deliverables - Appropriate Assessment Screening and NIS - Baseline environmental Air, Noise, Vibration, Dust Monitoring - Construction Environmental Management Plans - Environmental Impact Assessment - Environmental monitoring and auditing - Hydrogeology Services such as water supply investigation - IPPC and IED Licensing - Planning and environmental due diligence - Site investigation - Soil Drilling and testing - Waste licensing and permitting - Waste Management Plans to accompany Planning Applications - Local Authority Permitting and Certificates of Registration - Trade Effluent Discharge Licence Applications - BAT (Best Available Techniques) Assessments - Bund and Pipe Testing - Annual Environmental Report (AER) Preparation - Compliance Auditing / Monitoring / Strategic Advice - Ongoing Support / Training ### What is not promised - That the EPA will grant a licence. - A fixed decision date or a standard consultancy price without scoping. - That planning permission removes licensing obligations. - That a previous authorisation automatically covers a changed activity. ### Related environmental support - [Environmental consultancy](https://verde.ie/services/environmental-consultancy) - [Waste management](https://verde.ie/services/waste-management) - [Water and hydrogeology](https://verde.ie/services/water-hydrogeology) - [Air, noise and acoustics](https://verde.ie/services/air-noise-acoustics) [Explore Verdé’s project portfolio](https://verde.ie/projects) The portfolio is not presented as proof of a specific licence approval. Source: [EPA: IE licence application guidance](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/how-to-apply-for-an-ie-licence/ie-licence-application-guidance/) · checked 12 October 2026. ## EPA and IPC licence questions answered An EPA licence depends on the activity and legal requirements. These answers explain the main distinctions and application steps; use the linked EPA guidance for your site’s requirements. ### What is an EPA licence? An EPA licence is an environmental authorisation issued by Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency for a specified activity. Its conditions control emissions and environmental management. Depending on the activity, the relevant regime may be Industrial Emissions, Integrated Pollution Control or waste licensing; there is no single licence suitable for every business. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### Who needs an EPA licence in Ireland? Operators of specified industrial or waste activities may need an EPA licence when their activity falls within the relevant legislation and thresholds. Check the actual process and capacity, not only the sector name. Some waste activities instead require a local-authority permit or registration, while others may qualify for an exemption. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### What is an IPC licence? IPC means Integrated Pollution Control. An IPC licence controls pollution from certain industrial activities in Ireland under the EPA Act and associated licensing regulations. Check the First Schedule to the EPA Act to establish whether your activity is licensable and confirm whether the IPC or Industrial Emissions route applies. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### Which Irish legislation covers IE and IPC licences? The EPA Act 1992, as amended, provides the activity schedule used in industrial licensing. The EPA’s IPC application guidance cites the Integrated Pollution Control Licensing Regulations 2013 (S.I. 283/2013), amended by S.I. 189/2020. Industrial Emissions has a separate regime implementing the Industrial Emissions Directive; use current EPA guidance and the legislation applicable to your activity rather than treating IPC and IE rules as identical. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### What is the difference between IPPC, IPC and IE licensing? IPPC means Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control and is a term you may see in older licence records. The Industrial Emissions Directive replaced the earlier IPPC Directive. Current EPA guidance distinguishes IPC and Industrial Emissions licensing; an old IPPC reference alone does not establish the authorisation your site needs today. Source: [EPA: Industrial Emissions Directive FAQs](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/industrial-emissions-directive-faqs/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### How do I apply for an IPC licence? First check whether you need a licence and arrange pre-application clarification where appropriate. The EPA’s guidance then requires EDEN registration, a site notice, a newspaper notice and notification of the relevant planning authority. Complete the specified application form and supply the required documentation. Missing information may lead to further requests or delay the assessment. Source: [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### Does planning permission replace an EPA licence? No. Planning documentation is part of the information considered in licensing applications, but planning permission is not a substitute for the environmental authorisation required for a licensable activity. Coordinate the two processes and confirm the requirements for your project before operating. Source: [EPA: IE licence application guidance](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/how-to-apply-for-an-ie-licence/ie-licence-application-guidance/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### Does every waste facility need an EPA waste licence? No. The EPA describes four possible authorisation outcomes for waste recovery or disposal: exemption, a licence, a waste facility permit, or a certificate of registration. The correct route depends on the activity and applicable rules; the EPA and local authorities have different responsibilities. Source: [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) · checked 12 October 2026. ### How much does an EPA licence application cost and how long does it take? There is no single fee or completion time suitable for every application. EPA guidance links to the applicable industrial and waste licensing fee schedules. Consultancy costs are separate and depend on the work required; missing documents, further-information requests and the site’s circumstances can affect progress. Ask Verdé to scope the work and consult the current EPA fee guidance—no fixed fee, deadline or approval is promised here. Source: [EPA: IE licence application guidance](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/how-to-apply-for-an-ie-licence/ie-licence-application-guidance/) · checked 12 October 2026. ## Licensing terms in plain English Use the full term when discussing an application. Similar abbreviations can refer to different regulatory regimes. EPA Environmental Protection Agency: Ireland’s environmental regulator and the authority that decides EPA licence applications. IPC Integrated Pollution Control: a licensing regime for specified industrial activities. IE / IED Industrial Emissions / Industrial Emissions Directive: the licensing regime and European directive relevant to specified installations. BAT Best Available Techniques: techniques and associated requirements considered when assessing and controlling environmental impacts. EDEN The EPA’s online system used for licence applications and related communication. AER Annual Environmental Report: environmental performance reporting where required by the licence and applicable guidance. Source: [EPA: Industrial Emissions Directive FAQs](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/industrial-emissions-directive-faqs/) · checked 12 October 2026. Source: [EPA: IE licence application guidance](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/how-to-apply-for-an-ie-licence/ie-licence-application-guidance/) · checked 12 October 2026. ## Sources and further reading EPA guidance is the regulatory source for this overview. These pages were checked on 12 October 2026; the check date is not their publication date. Confirm current requirements with the EPA before relying on a specific application route. - [EPA: How to apply for an IPC licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/integrated-pollution-control-ipc-licensing/how-to-apply-for-an-ipc-licence/) - [EPA: IE licence application guidance](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/how-to-apply-for-an-ie-licence/ie-licence-application-guidance/) - [EPA: Who needs a waste licence](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/waste/waste-licensing/who-needs-a-waste-licence/) - [EPA: Industrial Emissions Directive FAQs](https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/industrial/industrial-emissions-licensing-ied/industrial-emissions-directive-faqs/) Verdé’s service scope is based on its existing environmental planning and licensing page. No named reviewer, licence success rate, consultancy price or decision deadline has been invented. [Read this guide in Markdown](https://verde.ie/services/ippc-waste-licensing.md) ## Discuss your EPA licence requirements with Verdé Tell Verdé your site location, activity, capacity, existing licence number if available, and the change or application you are considering. The team can discuss the scope and evidence needed; the EPA confirms regulatory decisions. For general enquiries, call [01 201 1260](tel:012011260) or email [info@verde.ie](mailto:info@verde.ie).