The EU’s goal is to establish uniform standards across Europe and to enable fair competition among member states. Uniform requirements for emission reductions from industrial facilities are developed through the “Seville Process.” It is so named because the coordinating body is based in Seville.

What is the “Seville Process”?

The “Seville Process” identifies and establishes the state of the art for preventing or reducing emissions from industrial activities across all industrial sectors. The results are compiled into a so-called BAT (Best Available Techniques) guidance document and contain legally binding BAT conclusions that all EU member states must transpose into national law. In addition to the European Commission and the EU member states, industry and non-governmental organizations also participate in the development of such a guidance document. A technical working group collects, compares, and evaluates data on emission levels from industrial facilities across Europe. However, the path to a BAT guidance document is long and involves considerable effort for all parties involved. It typically takes five years from the start of work to final adoption by the EU member states.

The Seville Process—A Milestone for Industry and the Environment

German industrial facility permitting law and the existing industrial plant base are significantly influenced by the requirements set forth in the BAT conclusions. Implementing these BAT requirements can entail considerable additional expenses and costs for the affected industrial companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—in order to reduce emissions and optimize processes. This is because, in practice, BAT requirements determine emission limits and thus also the permits for industrial facilities across a wide range of industries. Virtually every industrial sector is affected by its own BAT guidance document. This fact underscores the relevance of the “Seville Process” for industry.

Improvements Ensure EU-Wide Success

This makes it all the more important that the guidance documents be developed through a transparent and efficient process, resulting in a proportionate outcome that creates equal added value for both industry and environmental protection. The BDI is committed to the “Seville Process” and supports a uniform and binding state-of-the-art standard across Europe. However, German industry believes that the “Seville Process” should be significantly improved.