Best available techniques (BREFs)

Background

To collect information on the Best Available Techniques (BAT) for limiting industrial emissions, the European Commission organises an exchange of information between Member States, the industries concerned, and environmental non-governmental organisations. The information collection, resulting   in BAT Reference Documents (BREFs), is a complex, multistep and technical process. Once finalised, the BREFs impact all major manufacturing sectors across Europe with binding requirements for emissions. To participate in the BREF process as an industry representative, Cefic is a member of several Technical Working Groups (TWG), led by the European Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Bureau, as well as the Article 13 Forum of Directorate-General Environment (DG ENVI).

Improving our environmental performance

Reducing industrial emissions is a central target for the chemical industry. We are committed to working as a sector to constantly improve our production processes, to contribute to the shift towards a resource efficient, circular and low-carbon economy, and share our knowledge in doing so with others. The European Commission appreciates Cefic’s contribution to continuous improvement of industry’s environmental performance via the BREF process, and Cefic is fully aligned with the key reduction targets of the Industrial Emissions Directive. To support the Commission in applying the IED, Cefic is actively participating in Commission’s BREF review process.

Cefic’s position

Cefic believes that to properly evaluate the Best Available Techniques for limiting industrial emissions, it is essential to consider the specifics of each sector in terms of   industrial production. Furthermore, as the BREF process is a data driven process, we support   the best possible and broad collection of data, including as many stakeholders as possible.  BREFs should, in our view, only cover a limited number of real key substances, i.e. substances that are of sufficient relevance across all chemical sectors and across Europe. In contrast, substances of limited or local/regional concern should be covered by the relevant national legislation.