Best Available Technique
The Best Available Technique (BAT) is the most effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their methods of operation which indicates the practical suitability of particular techniques for providing the basis for emission limit values and other permit conditions designed to prevent and, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment. The BAT reference document is known as the BREF.
Overview
The Best Available Technique (BAT) is the most effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their methods of operation which indicates the practical suitability of particular techniques for providing the basis for emission limit values and other permit conditions designed to prevent and, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole [1]. The most recent BAT Reference Document (BREF) for Incineration was published in 2019[2] and for Treatment was published in August 2018[3].
Emissions Standards Legislation in the UK
The UK is committed to maintaining environmental standards and continues to apply the existing successful model of integrated pollution control. The EU Withdrawal Act 2018 maintains established environmental principles and ensures that existing EU environmental law will continue to have effect in UK law, including the IED and BAT Conclusion Implementing Decision made under it[4].
The UK government has introduced secondary legislation under the EU Withdrawal Act 2018, and further legislation in the devolved administrations where required, to ensure the domestic legislation that implements the IED (including the Transitional National Plan) can continue to operate. This amends current legislation to[4]:
- correct references to EU legislation
- transfer powers from EU institutions to UK institutions
- ensure the UK meets its international agreement obligations
The UK government has made secondary legislation to ensure the existing BAT Conclusions continue to have effect in the UK, to provide powers to adopt future BAT Conclusions in the UK and ensure the devolved administrations maintain powers to determine BAT through their regulatory regimes[4].
The UK government will put in place a process for determining future UK BAT Conclusions for industrial emissions. This will be developed with the devolved administrations and competent authorities across the UK. The UK government’s Clean Air Strategy for England sets out actions for determining future UK Best Available Techniques for industrial emissions[4]. A policy paper was produced and published in August 2022[5].
It’s the government’s aim to ensure that the future UK BAT regime continues to endorse the collaborative approach of the current system and industry will be a part of that approach[4].
The UK BAT system also considers the effects of the EU approach
References
- ↑ European Commission, 2010. Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). Official Journal of the European Union.
- ↑ https://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2020-01/JRC118637_WI_Bref_2019_published_0.pdf
- ↑ Link to EU Waste Treatment BREF and BAT Conclusions and IED Article 13
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 DEFRA 31 Dec 2020
- ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/establishing-the-best-available-techniques-for-the-uk-uk-bat/establishing-the-best-available-techniques-for-the-uk-uk-bat