Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA)

What Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA) is

Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA), known in Spain as Autorización Ambiental Integrada, is the administrative authorization that combines into a single procedure and decision the various sector-specific environmental permits an installation requires: air emissions, water discharges, waste management and, where applicable, environmental impact assessment. It is mandatory for activities listed in Annex I of Spanish Law 16/2002 on integrated pollution prevention and control, mainly industrial installations above a certain production capacity.

Activities subject to IEA

• Combustion installations with thermal capacity above the set thresholds.
• Hazardous waste management installations and certain non-hazardous waste facilities.
• Intensive livestock farms above certain herd or flock size thresholds.
• Chemical, paper and ceramics industries, and other industrial activities listed in Annex I of Spanish Law 16/2002.
• Wastewater treatment installations above a certain capacity.

What the procedure covers

IEA consolidates into a single decision the conditions for:

• Air emission limits, in line with the sector's Best Available Techniques (BAT).
• Wastewater discharge conditions.
• Waste management generated by the activity.
• Noise conditions, in line with applicable noise regulation.
• Environmental impact assessment, integrated into the same procedure when the activity is also subject to assessment under Spanish Law 21/2013.

How it is processed

1. Drafting of the basic project for the installation, with a complete technical description of processes, emissions and consumption.
2. Application of the Best Available Techniques for the sector, in line with the EU BREF documents.
3. Submission of the application to the competent regional environmental authority.
4. Public information period and consultation with affected authorities.
5. IEA decision, establishing the final operating conditions and applicable emission limits.

Common mistakes

• Failing to adequately justify the application of the sector's Best Available Techniques, which can result in stricter conditions than necessary.
• Underestimating discharge flows or pollutant loads, leading to future breaches of authorized limits.
• Failing to coordinate the IEA procedure with environmental impact assessment when both apply simultaneously.

Why choose Ideas Medioambientales

We process Integrated Environmental Authorizations for industrial and livestock installations across Spain, with expertise in the sector's Best Available Techniques and the specific criteria of each regional environmental authority.

Tell us about your installation type and production capacity and we'll advise you on whether it requires an IEA and what documentation you need.