What is the EU BREF (or Sevilla) process?
The EU BREF Process is an information exchange between the European Commission, EU Member States, industry and non-governmental organisations on the Best Available Techniques (BAT) used to prevent and control the environmental impact of industrial activities. Also called ‘Sevilla process’ by the location of the European Bureau for Research on Industrial Transformation and Emissions (EU-BRITE) coordinating the exchange.
The outcome of the process? The EU Best Available Techniques reference documents (BREFs) for the different sectors covered by the IED 2.0.
Why are BREFs important? Because any operator covered under IED 2.0 (Annex I) must hold a permit based on their sector’s BREF, and in particular on what the BAT therein can deliver in terms of environmental performance.
Proposals for an EU BREF Process fit for the 2050 goals of climate neutrality, zero pollution and circular economy + Future BAT conclusions compatible with the 2050 goals:
Proposals for an EU BREF Process fit for the 2050 goals of climate neutrality, zero pollution and circular economy
The updated EU framework on industrial emissions is paving the way for the much-needed transformation of industry towards the EU 2050 goals of climate neutrality, zero-pollution, and circular economy. The process of developing the EU Best Available Techniques reference documents (BREFs), that form the basis for the environmental permitting of the biggest industrial installations, should be adapted accordingly.
The update of the rules of the BREF process has started. It concerns the review of the ”Commission Implementing Decision of 10 February 2012 laying down rules concerning guidance on the collection of data and on the drawing up of BAT reference documents and on their quality, assurance referred to in Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions”, also simply called the ”BREF Guidance”.
What is needed for a BREF process fit for the future?
The future BAT conclusions need to enable and drive the transformation towards a zero-pollution, climate-neutral, resource efficient industry, and need to be fully compatible with this vision. In a nutshell:
- The BAT conclusions should especially determine which techniques, and under what circumstances, constitute ‘deep transformation techniques’ for a given sector; and which techniques and processes are incompatible with the transformation vision (and timeline) and should be phased-out. The future BAT conclusions will inform the content of the IED 2.0 Transformation Plans; it is therefore important that these elements are included therein for a uniform approach, and a clear signal to operators and authorities. The new innovation centre on industrial transformation and emissions (INCITE) shall be mandated to provide an opinion on which techniques qualify as ‘deeply transformative’ for a given sector to the relevant BREF technical working groups. Furthermore, minimal expectations should be set in the BREF guidance as to the meaning of what ‘deeply transformative’ is.
- The reviews of the BREFs for energy-intensive sectors (steel, cement) should be prioritised, in line with IED Article 13(5) (highest potential to improve the protection of the environment), but to also ensure that the updated BAT conclusions will be taken up in the IED 2.0 Transformation Plans (as these sectors should produce their plans, in priority, by 30 June 2030).
- The process needs to be fast-tracked if the 8-year review cycle and dynamic nature of BAT is to be respected. Furthermore, to be reminded that the average time lag from the date of the performance information collected (through questionnaires) to serve as a basis for the BAT determination to the date of effectively implementing the BAT conclusions is 12.2 years in average. There are currently no tools to factor in the dynamic aspect of BAT determination, or to speed up the information exchange. See our position paper, section ‘Fast-tracking the BREF process’.
- A different governance model is needed, where consensus-finding will be fact-checked against the first point above (compatible with the 2050 transformation vision), and where industry frontrunners (technique providers and operators) will be adequately represented instead of sidelined by the well-established industrial associations (representing a wide range of industry actors) currently present in the IED Forum and the BREF technical working groups. See our position paper, section ‘The governance of the BREF process’).
More information:
All stakeholders’ comments also available here: ied – Library
- EEB’s position paper (2024)
- EEB’s presentation for EU member states representatives (2024)
Next steps: The adoption of the updated BREF Guidance is scheduled for Q2 2026.