The NPI National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) provides the framework for the establishment of the NPI, which is an internet database designed to provide publicly available information on the types and amounts of certain substances being emitted to air, land, and water.
Background to the variation
In June 2007, the NPI NEPM was varied to fulfil the inventory's potential as a major tool for environmental management and cleaner production. This included mandatory reporting of NPI substances in waste transferred to a destination for containment or final disposal. A further change was the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions reporting as an interim measure, pending the establishment of a national purpose-built greenhouse gas reporting mechanism. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cwlth) was enacted in September 2007.
In April 2008, NEPC commenced the process to vary the NEPM, in order to remove greenhouse gas and energy reporting requirements now covered by the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
The current NPI NEPM (as varied) was made in November 2008.
Implementation of the variation
The changes under the variation include:
- reporting of transfers of NPI substances in waste to final destination
- inclusion of new substances to the current list
- lowering the threshold for mercury and compounds, and
- other matters identified in the NPI Review Report.
Transfers
Facilities are only required to report transfers of NPI substances in waste to final destination including tailings storage facility, sewerage system, underground injection or for destruction once relevant industry guidance material has been developed.
As such, reporting of transfer data will commence on the following dates:
| Reporter | Transfer data collection period | Transfer data provided to jurisdiction | Transfer data available to public |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar year | 1 January 2008-31 December 2008 | 31 March 2009 | 31 March 2010 |
| Financial year | 1 July 2008-30 June 2009 | 30 September 2009 | 31 March 2010 |
In addition to amending the NPI Guide, Emission Estimation Technique (EET) manuals will be also amended over time to include further detail of transfer reporting.
The reporting of transfers to a destination for reuse, recycling, reprocessing, purification, partial purification, immobilisation, remediation or energy recovery to the NPI, is voluntary.
Greenhouse gases
The NPI does not include greenhouse gas emissions.
The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, which came into effect on 29 September 2007, establishes a comprehensive national scheme for the collection, reporting and dissemination of information, related to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption and production.
Further details on National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting .
New substances and thresholds
Reporting of new substances acrolein, PM2.5 and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the reporting of mercury at the reduced threshold level of 5 kg, are now required.
Further information
NPI contact officers in the jurisdictions are able to provide further information to assist all industry reporters and other stakeholders in relation to the changes to the NPI.
Available documentation
Further information on the NPI NEPM variation can be found in the following documents:
- NEPM: National Pollutant Inventory (as varied) - Nov 2008
- Final report - review of the National Pollutant Inventory
- Draft variation to the NPI NEPM
Further details can also be obtained from the EPHC Archive for the National Pollutant Inventory NEPM