What's the Difference Between BREF and IED?

With climate change and air pollution growing concerns around the world, the EU has introduced regulations aimed at curbing harmful emissions in recent years. With regard to large combustion plants, there are two pieces of legislation in particular which stand out: Best available techniques REFerence documents (BREF) and the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). Despite the fact that the UK has now left the EU, both pieces of legislation are still applicable in Britain.

While both of these documents share the common goal of reducing emissions from the industrial sector, they’re actually very different concepts with different roles to play. Despite this, they have been sometimes used interchangeably in the mainstream media and by external commentators unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the legislation. This has created some confusion in the industry over what the terms mean and how they differ from each other. With that in mind, this guide has been created in an attempt to clarify the state of play and make plant owners’ obligations clear to them.

What is the BREF?

BREF is an approximate acronym for Best available techniques REFerence documents and delineates the specific thresholds for each contaminant, based upon the best available techniques (BATs) in a given situation. This gives stakeholders the opportunity to view at a glance the limits – defined as BAT-associated emissions levels, or BAT-AELS – which they must not exceed, allowing them the opportunity to put in place preventative measures aimed at improving their overall environmental credentials. There are several different types of BATs which pertain to specific industries and applications.

As well as defining those legally binding thresholds, the BREF also introduces new requirements for monitoring equipment to be employed onsite, thus ensuring that emissions do not exceed the legal limits. For more information on the specific facts, figures and requirements contained in the legislation, it’s a good idea to check out the article The European Union’s Large Combustion Plant BREF – Monitoring and Compliance Requirements.

What is the IED?

The IED both predates and encompasses the BREF, since it is the regulatory framework of which the BREF is one part. The IED received approval in the European Parliament in 2010, was implemented the following year and had to be transposed by EU nations by 2013. It supersedes a number of pre-existing regulations – including the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) directive – and is intended to streamline and simplify pre-existing regulations surrounding industrial emissions.

As well as drawing together disparate directives into one, consolidated piece of legislation, the IED also imposes stricter regulations than the pre-existing rules. The BATs which comprise the basis of the BREF are just one of several pillars which constitute the IED. The others are the integration of the approach, the flexibility given to individual cases, the regularity of inspections used to enforce compliance and public participation with the legislation.