The European Commission adopted two implementing decisions on the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions on industrial emissions from iron and steel production and glass manufacture and the full BAT reference documents. These conclusions define the reference for setting the permit conditions for these installations in Europe.

The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) which was adopted in 2010 requests to define the reference for setting the permit conditions for iron & steel production and glass manufacture installations. The Commission now publishes the two implementing decisions on the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions on industrial emissions for these installations under the 2010/75/EU Directive.

The IED is based on an integrated approach aiming to protect the environment as a whole. The installations covered by the Directive must be operated in accordance with a permit granted by the competent authorities in the Member States. At the same time, permit conditions must be based on the use of the best available techniques (BAT), with the BAT conclusions adopted by the Commission serving as the reference for setting those conditions.

Emissions from industrial installations to air, water and soil are subject to EU-wide legislation, and the main piece of legislation is the Directive on Industrial Emissions (IED) (2010/75/EU), the successor of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. It covers some 50.000 installations across the EU. Industrial activities now play an important role in the economic well-being of Europe contributing to sustainable growth. But, they also account for a considerable share of the overall pollution in Europe.