The European Commission obliges Member States to comply with the best available techniques that limit emissions in the chemicals industry

The European Commission has taken another step in controlling large volume emissions and waste in the chemicals industry by adopting the conclusions relating to ‘best available techniques’ (BAT) established in Directive 2010/75/EU. The BAT are the reference for the chemicals industry to be able to obtain permits for its installations.

By means of an implementing decision (a binding legal act), the Commission obliges Member States to respect the limit values set out in the BAT and which affect, among others, emissions to air, emissions to water and the amount of waste disposed of. The chemicals industry must generally respect these indicators, save in cases in which other criteria are specified.

The Commission’s decision was motivated by the opinion prepared in April by the forum made up of representatives from the Member States, the affected industries and environmental NGOs.