This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to air pollution. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
For more information about EMS, see our guide on environmental management systems (EMS) - the basics.
- Clean Air (Emission of Dark Smoke) (Exemption) Regulations SI 1969/1263. Exempts the emission of dark smoke caused by the burning of certain materials, subject to specified conditions. Not available online.
- Clean Air (Emission of Dark Smoke) (Exemption) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SI 1981/340. Makes it an offence to emit dark smoke from industrial or trade premises, with detailed exemptions. Sets conditions for some burning. (Waste management licensing legislation may apply to these activities too). Not available online.
- Clean Air Act 1993. Bans the emission of dark smoke from chimneys and furnaces, sets minimum chimney heights and created smoke control areas. Find the Clean Air Act 1993 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order SI 1981/158 (including amendments). Sets out controls on smoke, dust and fumes, including rules on chimneys, and introduces Smoke Control Areas. Find the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2008/415 (as amended). Specifies fuels authorised for use under the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. Find the Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2007/272. Implements measures for reducing the sulphur content of heavy fuel oils (excluding marine fuels). Find the Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
You may also need to know about and comply with legislation on:
- pollution prevention and control (PPC) permits
- waste management licences
- nuisance - see the page on environmental legislation for nuisances in our guide on noise, odour and other nuisances
Details of current and future Northern Ireland environmental legislation on the Netregs website.