The EU’s Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) sets out guidelines for the approval and control of industrial installations. The guidelines require an integrated approach and the implementation of best available techniques (BAT). BATs are the most effective techniques to achieve a high level of environmental protection, taking into account the costs and benefits. Revised BAT Reference Documents (BREF) are more prescriptive on which BATs should be used in order to provide more consistency across EU member states.

The first BAT (Best Available Techniques) Reference Document (BREF) on Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals (LVIC) was adopted in 2007. The BREF LVIC was scheduled for review in 2015 but has been postponed. The review is expected to start in early 2022.

To be prepared for when the process will start, INCOPA has established a BREF task force which will identify the data that needs to be collected. Members of the task force will also participate in the Cefic LVIC Working Group which will bring together experts from different industries.