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Glossary termPublished inIED 2.0

Best available techniques

Also known as BAT, beste beschikbare technieken, BBT

What does "Best available techniques" mean under the IED?

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:
  • (a) ‘techniques’ includes both the technology used and the way in which the installation is designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned
  • (b) ‘available techniques’ means techniques developed on a scale which allows implementation in the relevant industrial sector, under economically and technically viable conditions, taking into consideration the costs and advantages, regardless of whether such techniques are used or produced in the Union, as long as they are reasonably accessible to the operator
  • (c) ‘best’ means most effective in achieving a high general level of protection of the environment as a whole, including human health and climate protection

Defined in / by

  • IED (32010L0075), Article 3, point (10), points (b) and (c) as replaced by Directive (EU) 2024/1785

Last updated: 14 October 2026.

The yardstick for permit conditions

Best available techniques are the yardstick for almost every condition in an IED permit. Article 11 requires installations to be operated so that the best available techniques are applied, Article 14(3) makes BAT conclusions the reference for setting permit conditions, and Article 15(2) bases emission limit values on BAT without prescribing the use of any technique or specific technology.

Each word of the term is defined. Techniques include how the installation is designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned, not only the equipment. Available means developed on a scale that allows implementation in the sector under economically and technically viable conditions. Best means most effective in protecting the environment as a whole.

Directive (EU) 2024/1785 replaced two of the three. Available now holds regardless of whether the techniques are used or produced in the Union, where the 2010 text said whether or not they are used or produced inside the Member State in question. Best now includes human health and climate protection. What counts as BAT for a sector is decided in BAT reference documents and their BAT conclusions, drawn up through the exchange of information under Article 13, which aims at an eight-year review cycle.

Questions and answers

Does BAT require a specific technology?

No. Article 15(2) bases emission limit values on BAT without prescribing the use of any technique or specific technology.

What changed in the BAT definition in 2024?

Directive (EU) 2024/1785 replaced points (b) and (c). Techniques count as available regardless of whether they are used or produced in the Union, and best now includes human health and climate protection.

Regulations

  • Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0)

    The revised Industrial Emissions Directive is Directive (EU) 2024/1785. Member States had to transpose it by 1 July 2026, and none had notified full transposition by 25 September 2026. Operators need an environmental management system by 1 July 2027, and large pig and poultry farms follow from 2030. The Dutch bill is before the Eerste Kamer.

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