New Guidelines in Italy for the Regulation of Odour Emissions

An Executive Decree was published in Italy on 28 June 2023 by which the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) adopted the guidelines for the management of odorous emissions from industrial plants and activities. The document provides a framework to be used in the investigation and decision-making procedures of the authorities responsible for environmental authorisations and for the future development of regional and state legislation. The guidelines contain criteria and detailed rules for the application of Article 272 bis of Legislative Decree 152/2006, the Italian Environmental Code. After a brief overview of the concept of channelled emissions, diffuse emissions and technically conveyable emissions, with a particular focus on odorous emissions, this paper aims to analyse, from a technical and legal point of view, the main contents of these guidelines.