Baseline Report

In the context of the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED in German: Industrieemissions-Richtlinie, IE-RL), companies are obliged to submit a report on the initial state of soil and groundwater (Baseline Report) prior to the new construction or substantial changes of installations requiring authorization (IED plants).

As a means of preventive soil and groundwater protection the Baseline Report serves as proof of evidence and describes the initial status of soil and groundwater with respect to those substances handled in the installation. The Baseline Report serves as a guideline for companies to return the site to the state described in the baseline report in case of a closure of the plant (see Art. 4 Par. 4 of the Federal Immission Control Act).

Legal foundations

• Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control)
• Article 10 of the Federal Immission Control Act (Duty to draw up a Baseline Report)