IPPC guidance
The European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)
Bureau provides an exchange of technical information on best
available techniques (BAT) under the directive, and develops BAT
reference documents (BREFs). These documents must be taken into
account when the competent authorities of Member States determine
conditions for IPPC permits. The bureau operates from the Institute
for Prospective Technology Studies at the EU Joint Research Centre
in Seville (Spain).
BREF status
The IPPC Directive applies to a wide range of industrial
activities, and the objective of the European IPPC Bureau is to
develop BREFs that assist the efficient implementation of the
directive across the European Union. BREFs contain sector specific
guidance on what may be technically and economically available to
industry in order to improve their environmental performance and,
consequently, provide environmental controls. One of their main
roles is to produce a ‘level playing field’ for implementation of
the directive. There are currently 33 BREFs adopted and published
by the European Commission, covering a wide scope of
activities.
BREF development
Each sector of industry covered by the IPPC Directive is
addressed by a specific Technical Working Group (TWG), which
comprises nominated experts from Member States, the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA) countries, Accession countries, industry
and environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Each TWG
is set up for a limited duration in order to provide information
and to review the draft BREF documents.