15 May, Brussels – The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is to begin a consultation on revising environmental guidelines for the organic chemicals industry. Updates will be made to the Commission’s 2003, Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF).
15 May, Brussels – The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is to begin a consultation on revising environmental guidelines for the organic chemicals industry. Updates will be made to the Commission’s 2003, Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF).
The updated document will amend and extend the list of common chemical processes for which detailed guidance has been given. The conclusions, which are meant to be used by national regulators for setting permit conditions, will contain general recommendations which apply universally and also specific ones for each of illustrative processes.
The complexity of the chemicals industry means this BREF is one of eight covering the entire sector. Other BREFs include a horizontal BREF covering all chemicals plants, polymers and wastewater and waste gas treatment in the sector.
The JRC’s consultation on the first draft is expected to end on 4July, though several more rounds of consultation will be held before the final version is adopted by the EU executive.