Best available techniques set the permit conditions for iron & steel industrial installations in the EU © stock.xchng (ElRincon. Markus Biehal)
Newly defined "Best available techniques" for iron & steel and glass production
Two implementing decisions on the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions on industrial emissions from iron and steel production and glass manufacture have been adopted by the Commission and the full BAT reference documents have been published.
These conclusions define the reference for setting the permit conditions for these installations in Europe under the new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2010/75/EU. They are the first of their kind to be adopted.
They have been developed through a thorough exchange of information between the European Commission, the Member States, industries concerned and non-governmental organisations in order to review the original BAT reference documents for these sectors.
Background information
Industrial activities play an important role in the economic well-being of Europe contributing to sustainable growth. However, they also account for a considerable share of the overall pollution in Europe.
Emissions from industrial installations to air, water and soil are subject to EU-wide legislation, and the main piece of legislation is the Directive on Industrial Emissions (IED) (2010/75/EU), the successor of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. It covers some 50 000 installations across the EU.
The IED is based on an integrated approach aiming to protect the environment as a whole. The installations covered by the Directive must be operated in accordance with a permit granted by the competent authorities in the Member States.
Permit conditions must be based on the use of the best available techniques (BAT), with the BAT conclusions adopted by the Commission serving as the reference for setting those conditions.
The JRC hosts and manages the European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (EIPPC) Bureau, set up to exchange information between the Commission, the Member States, industry and environmental NGOs on Best Available Techniques.
This leads to the development of BAT reference documents, called BREFs, containing the BAT conclusions, as well as background information on the sectors concerned and techniques applied, and information on emerging techniques that have the potential to evolve into future BAT.
02/04/12