The Clean Air Act gives powers to local councils to control domestic and industrial smoke to improve local air quality and meet EU air quality standards for sulphur dioxide and particulates. It enables local councils to create ‘smoke control areas’ and order the use of cleaner fuels in these areas.
This act applies fully in England, Scotland and Wales.
In Northern Ireland only sections 30 and 32 on the content of motor fuel and the technical sections on repeals of earlier legislation apply.
What is the Clean Air Act?
| Part Number |
Description |
|
Part I
Dark Smoke |
- Bans the emission of dark smoke from chimneys and industrial or trade premises.
|
|
Part II Smoke grit dust and fumes |
- Requires new furnaces to be as smokeless as possible.
- Limits emissions of smoke, grit, dust and fumes.
- Specifies required chimney heights.
|
|
Part III
Smoke control areas |
- Authorises local councils to declare ‘smoke control areas’ in order to improve air quality.
- Only allows ‘authorised fuels’ to be used in smoke control areas, with limited exceptions.
|
|
Part IV
Controlling air pollution (fuels and cable-burning) |
- Authorises the government to control the content of motor fuels and oil fuel for furnaces.
- Bans burning cables to retrieve metal.
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|
Part V Information |
- Allows local councils to investigate, research and publicise air pollution problems.
- Sets out actions local councils can take in investigations and the procedures they must follow.
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|
Part VI Special cases |
- Requires owners of mines or quarries to take action to prevent fire in colliery spoilbanks, and prevent or minimise the risk of producing smoke and fumes.
- Extends the smoke controls from Part I to apply to emissions from railway engines, water vessels (eg in canals, ports, harbours). Allows local councils to suspend some of the controls of this Act if necessary for air pollution research.
- Sets out local councils’ duties on air pollution from government premises.
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Who does the Clean Air Act affect?
The Act affects all businesses operating furnaces, boilers or incinerators.
What do you have to do?
See our guidance on:
How is the Clean Air Act enforced?
Local councils enforce the Act, largely through abatement notices.
Businesses found responsible for producing dark smoke can be fined up to £20,000.
Further information
