The systematic collection and public disclosure of data on industrial pollution in the European Union began with the establishment of the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), regulated by Regulation (EC) No. 166/2006. This register represented the European implementation of the UNECE Protocol on PRTR and aimed to provide transparent information on the release of pollutants into air, water and soil, as well as on the transfer of waste from large industrial installations.
Throughout its implementation, the PRTR has played an important role in strengthening the public's right of access to environmental information and in advancing industry accountability. However, its concept was primarily focused on individual pollution streams, while contemporary EU policies required a broader, integrated approach, encompassing not only pollutant emissions, but also resource use, energy efficiency and the broader context of industrial environmental impact.
The previous system (EPRTR), established in 2006, provided a basic insight into industrial pollution, but over time it has become clear that it does not keep pace with technological change, climate goals and the public's need for comprehensive and comparable data fast enough. Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 therefore aims to improve the quality, availability and usability of industrial pollution data, as well as to link the different aspects of industry's environmental impact into a single information system.
The regulation applies to operators of industrial installations that fall within its scope, which are already regulated by EU regulations in the field of industrial emissions. Operators are obliged to provide the competent authorities with data on the environmental impact of their installations, in accordance with clearly defined
The competent authorities of the Member States shall verify the accuracy, completeness, consistency and veracity of the data provided before they are published.
The central novelty of the Regulation is the establishment of an Industrial Emissions Portal at the level of the European Union. The portal functions as a public, online database that provides free access to information on industrial pollution throughout the EU.
The purpose of the website is not only to provide information, but also:
In this way, the principles of the Aarhus Convention, which include the right of the public to have access to environmental information, are applied in practice.
