Concept of Best Available Techniques In the Directive 2010/75 / EU it is stated

that the requirement for the application

The BAT (Best Available Techniques) of BAT applies only to those sectors of
concept was introduced as a key economy, where the operation of the
principle in the IPPC Directive, 96/61/EC. largest enterprises is associated with a
The term best available technique is significant impact on the environment.
defined in Directive as “the most In the process of classifying a technique
effective and advanced stage in the as BAT in accordance with Annex III to
development of activities and their Directive 2010/75/ EU, the following
methods of operation which indicate the aspects should be taken into account:
practical suitability of particular - the use of low-waste technology;
techniques for providing in principle the - the use of less hazardous
basis for emission limit values designed substances;
to prevent and, where that is not - the furthering of recovery and
practicable, generally to reduce recycling of substances
emissions and the impact on the generated and used in the
environment as a whole: process and of waste, where
- techniques include both the appropriate;
technology used and the way in - comparable processes, facilities
which the installation is designed, or methods of operation which
built, maintained, operated and have been tried with success on
decommissioned; an industrial scale;
- available techniques are those - technological advances and
developed on a scale which changes in scientific knowledge
allows implementation in the and understanding;
relevant industrial sector, under - the nature, effects and volume of
economically and technically the emissions concerned;
viable conditions, taking into - the commissioning dates for new
consideration the costs and or existing installations;
advantages, whether or not the - the length of time needed to
techniques are used or produced introduce the best available
inside the Member State in technique;
question, as long as they are - the consumption and nature of
reasonably accessible to the raw materials (including water)
operator; used in the process and energy
- best means most effective in efficiency;
achieving a high general level of - the need to prevent or reduce to
protection of the environment as a minimum the overall impact of
a whole.” 1 the emissions on the
environment and the risks to it;

1
Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CE
1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention LEX:31996L0061:en:HTML
and control. https://eur-

Sustainability Expert // Mod. 2 // Unit 2.3 // Topic 2.3.3.1

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views
only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
 - the need to prevent accidents social values: “reasonably achievable”,
and to minimize the “best practicable”, “best available”. The
consequences for the following terms have been used with
environment; similar meaning: available techniques,
- information published by public best practicable means, best practicable
international organisations2. environmental option.
The term “Best available techniques” is Initially, the “best available techniques”
used primarily in the context of meant the best achievable one among
regulatory acts, standards, rules, up-to-date techniques without
regulations on limitation of emissions considering the traditional economic
and discharges of pollutants into the cost-benefit analysis. At present, when
environment, taking into account classifying techniques as “best available”
strategies on pollution prevention and economic factors are also taken into
control. The term has been subject of consideration.
change in dependence with the changing
goals of practical activities, as well as

2
https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:
L:2010:334:0017:0119:en:PDF

Sustainability Expert // Mod. 2 // Unit 2.3 // Topic 2.3.3.1

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views
only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.