In Hungary, air pollution control license must be obtained for the operation of air pollutant sources (point- and diffuse sources). This type of license can be requested from the environment and nature protection department of the competent regional government offices.
Generally speaking, only those sources of air pollution must be licensed, where emissions of air pollutants can be measured, or (if not measurable) calculated. Furthermore, in the case of combustion/heating equipment with performance below 140 kW (for households and public establishments below 500 kW), an air protection license is not required (in this case the local government is responsible).
Air polluting sources
The following main two groups of air polluting sources can be distinguished from the licensing point (according to the Government Decree 306/2010 (XII. 23.)):
- air pollutant point source: this is a source of air pollution in which the air polluting characteristics such as volume flow, emission concentration, temperature, pressure can be clearly measured or if not measurable because of some practical obstacles can be clearly defined by technical calculation
- diffuse source: this is an air polluting activity, or emitting surface or equipment which is not considered as a pollutant point source, furthermore an activity carried out in the open air that involves emission of air pollutants;
Licensing
The requirements of the licensing documentation are set out in Decree 306/2010. (XII.23.) 5th Annex of the Government of Hungary. The license application should include the characteristics of the air pollutant point source, equipment, technology as well as the basic characteristics of the site. In addition, the air pollutants emitted in the course of activity and their effect on the environment should be presented in the documentation.
Impact area of air pollution
The impact area is defined as follows in the regulation (in case of air pollutant point sources):
The largest area around the examined point source where at its maximum capacity utilization due to the spread of air pollutants emitted in the vicinity of the pollutant source besides soil/near-ground characteristics, and high-altitude meteorological features, below the smoke flame for the reference period air composition change is most expected to:
- exceeds 10% of the one-hour air pollution limit (PM10 for 24 hours)
- greater than 20% of the load capacity, or
- exceeds 80% of the one-hour maximum limit (24 hours for PM10)
LAL forms
While applying for air protection permit it is necessary to submit an electronically filled in form which contain air pollutant technologies, equipment, point sources and emission.
Air Declaration
Air declaration must be sent to the environmental authority by the 31st of March (about the preceding year). The declaration is submitted electronically and contains air pollutant emissions exhausted by technologies, equipments and point sources.
Expert License
An expert license for air protection is required for the preparation of an air protection license application.