Guidance on land use planning as required by Council Directive 96/82/EC (Seveso II)

Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances' (the "SEVESO Π" Directive) aims at the prevention of major accidents and the limitation of their consequences for man and the environment, with a view to ensuring high levels of protection throughout the Community in a consistent and effective manner. Article 12 of the Seveso II Directive (see Annex I) requires that the objectives of preventing major accidents and limiting their consequences be taken into account by the Member States in their land-use policies and/or other relevant policies. This requirement recognises that planning policies can be directed towards the need, in the long term, for appropriate distances between establishments covered by the Directive and residential areas, areas of public use and areas of particular natural sensitivity or interest.