Summary

This report presents the first comprehensive analysis of approaches to establishing BAT and similar concepts to prevent and control industrial emissions in a wide range of countries, including the following OECD Members and Partners: the Russian Federation, Korea, the United States, the European Union, India, the People’s Republic of China and New Zealand. For each country, the report presents extensive information on the procedures for collection of data on techniques for control and prevention of industrial pollution, evaluation of the techniques and identification of BAT. In addition, the report covers international initiatives facilitating the application of BAT, including under the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. While acknowledging the inherent differences of the policy contexts in which BAT are applied, the report allows for a cross-country comparison of existing approaches to determine BAT. The report does not prescribe a preferred procedure to establish BAT, but seeks to demonstrate the attributes and limitations of various methodologies, aiming to share good practices between countries that already have BAT-based polices and to assist interested governments that are considering the adoption of such an approach. The key characteristics of each country's BAT determination procedure are summarised in a comprehensive table in the final chapter, providing a useful overview for policymakers and other stakeholders. The report also provides a unique compilation of the BAT documents developed by all the countries involved, allowing interested stakeholders to access, and seek guidance from, already identified BAT.