The agreement, reached late on Tuesday, would “reduce harmful emissions from industry and improve public access to information”, the European Council, which represents member states, said in a statement.
The EU’s lead lawmaker on the dossier, Radan Kanev, said it would “significantly” reduce emissions “without creating more red tape for industry and farmers”, while introducing stiff fines for companies that break the rules.
The deal, which still needs to be formally adopted, aims to cut air, soil and water pollution from companies by revising existing rules on emissions and landfill waste.
It would also update a European pollutant release and transfer register, known as E-PRTR.
The Parliament said in a statement that emissions from large farms can lead to health problems “such as asthma, bronchitis and cancer”.
Intensive pig farms with more than 350 animals and poultry farms with more than 300 laying hens would be covered by the updated rules from 2030 for the largest farms.
Industrial mining of ores such as iron, copper, gold, nickel and platinum would also be covered, and the European Commission could include mining of industrial minerals at a later stage.
Each EU country would be responsible for issuing permits to companies affected by the rules if they can prove they meet the relevant standards.
Penalties for offenders will reflect the seriousness of the breach and will include fines of at least three per cent of a company’s annual turnover in the EU.
Once formally signed by member states and the European Parliament, the agreement will enter into force three weeks after publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
It will be reviewed by the Commission every five years from 2028.