Refinery BREF

Implementation of EU environmental legislation in line with wider goals

EUROPIA recognises the importance of safeguarding the environment and the refining industry has over the years made great strides to improve its environmental performance, for example by reducing sulphur in fuels and making energy savings where possible. The Industrial Emissions Directive will contribute to continuing improvements through its integrated approach toward emissions to air, water and soil.
It is of paramount importance that for the directive to be of real value, its implementation is carried out in a proportionate manner that does not unnecessarily impair the competitiveness of the EU refining sector. This concern for competitiveness was recently underlined by European Heads of State in their ‘Compact for Growth and Jobs’ Council Conclusions which also stressed that “further efforts are needed to reduce the overall regulatory burden at EU and national level”.