Ukraine has introduced modern European integration approaches to prevent and reduce industrial pollution. On August 8, 2025, the Law of Ukraine “On Integrated Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution” came into effect, implementing the provisions of EU Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions.
A new permitting procedure will now operate, which includes:
- European standards for industrial operations. Transition to the best available technologies and management methods, as well as modernization of industrial facilities.
- Deregulation and integrated pollution control. Instead of three separate permits currently required by enterprises (for special water use, atmospheric air emissions, and waste management), a single integrated environmental permit will be issued.
- Digitalization. All permitting procedures can be completed online through the creation of a Unified State Register of Integrated Environmental Permits.
- Transition period for existing installations. Enterprises will have conditions to gradually switch to the new permitting system and implement BAT (best available techniques and management methods).
- Dialogue with business. Consultations for industrialists on navigating the permitting procedure.
“Introducing integrated environmental permits is an important step in modernizing Ukrainian industry. We are not just harmonizing legislation with EU standards, but creating a transparent, efficient, and digital system that will help businesses operate according to European environmental standards. This will strengthen enterprise competitiveness, reduce environmental impact, and open new investment opportunities,” said Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.
The government has approved all necessary regulatory acts to initiate the Law’s implementation. An IT system for issuing Integrated Environmental Permits (IEPs) has been created and will be launched on the unified ecological platform “EcoSystem.”
The law stipulates that new installations not yet commissioned and without permits will operate exclusively under the new rules. For all existing installations, there is a transition period; permits for emissions, special water use, and waste management issued earlier will become invalid once the integrated permit is obtained, but no later than four years from the Law’s effective date.
During the four-year transition period, operators of installations engaged in activities listed in the Law’s annex will be allowed to continue obtaining separate permits under current legislation for:
- Emissions of pollutants into atmospheric air from stationary sources,
- Special water use,
- Waste processing operations
To ensure the effective implementation of the new system, the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, together with GIZ (the German Society for International Cooperation), is organizing a series of trainings. The first training will take place on August 25. Business representatives can register at the following link: https://surli.cc/hqueil.
The training program is developed within the project “Best Available Techniques and Management Methods (BAT) for Ukraine,” carried out by GIZ on behalf of the German government.
