An important part of the BREFs (BAT reference documents) are the BAT conclusions. These BAT conclusions include a number of individual conclusions that indicate which techniques or combinations of techniques are BAT for achieving a specific environmental objective. For each individual BAT, an associated environmental performance level (BAT-AEPL) can be indicated. Such environmental performance levels can be expressed as an emission level (BAT-AEL), a consumption level, or a different kind of performance level. Monitoring of BAT (eg measurement frequency and / or methods) is also included; this can be done in separate conclusions on monitoring or in the context of other conclusions.
The BAT conclusions form the reference for determining the permit conditions for the IPPC installations under the IED. After all, the emission limit values in the permit may not exceed the BAT-AEL. An installation can only deviate from this under strict conditions.
If the local environmental quality standards (EQS) require stricter conditions than those that can be achieved by applying BAT, stricter conditions must be imposed in the environmental permit.
Within a period of 4 years after publication of the BAT conclusions of the main activity of an IPPC installation by the European Commission, the permit conditions should be reconsidered and if deemed necessary should be adapted based upon the new BAT conclusions, and shall the installation meet the new permit conditions (article 21 paragraph 3 Industrial Emissions Directive).
Below is the list of published BAT conclusions. The full BREFs, which include these conclusions, can also be consulted here.