Revised EU Industrial Emissions Directive - ClientEarth briefing

The European Union’s Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) regulates the permitting and environmental impact of large industrial installations, including their emissions into air, water and soil. IED installations account for 20% of the EU’s pollutants emissions to air and water, and around 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. If enforced effectively, the IED therefore has significant potential to reduce emissions across Member States. The IED originally entered into force in 2010 and was revised in 2024. EU Member States have until 1 July 2026 to transpose the updated Directive into their national laws. This briefing sets out the IED’s revised access to justice and enforcement provisions under the IED and provides practical guidance on how Member States can effectively transpose these provisions into their national legal systems.