Customizing European Standard setting processes for industrial installations in India

Abstract

Backgroundand objective<BR>An increasing share of the industrial production for the European market takes place in countries in transition and developing countries, like India. This is connected with high environmental impacts because of difficulties in implementation of environmental standards in those countries. It is in the interest of high developed European countries like Germany to reduce these impacts. <BR>Therefore the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) supports India in the process of enforcing the implementation of Best Available Techniques (BAT) to ensure a sustainable industrial production. <BR>In an initial workshop in 2013 in New Delhi UBA presented the European concept of BAT. In Europe environmental legal standards for industrial installations are based on BAT. BAT are developed in an information exchange between all relevant stakeholders and described in the reference documents on BAT (BREF) for each specific industrial sector. The German experience with BREFs shows a very high success rate due to the active role played by industry in developing the pollution control measures. Information exchange on BAT with various stakeholders would support the implementation of BAT and lead to better environmental performance of the industry in India. <BR>Indian authorities and industry expressed interest to start a similar process for developingcustomized BREFsfor India, because itseems to be beneficialto support the implementation of environmental standards in India. In order to foster and guide the process of developing customized BREFs, a cooperation between the Federal State Gujarat, UBA and German Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)on BAT was initiated based on a joint declaration of intent (JDI).<P>Activities<BR>During several workshops the European BREF process was discussed with various stakeholders and customized to Indian conditions. The workshops included capacity building and training on sector specific BAT in textile and paper industryand on the systematic approach of technically based standard setting procedures.<BR>During the workshops the production integrated approach of BAT was highlighted. As production integrated measures are mostly combined with economical benefits for the operator like saving of energy, water and raw material, these benefits turn out to be important drivers for industry to implement BAT and simultaneously reduce the environmental impact.<BR>With the support of UBA the competent authorities initiated an information exchange between the relevant stakeholders for the development of customized pilot BREFs. The new customized BREFs will provide information on viable technologies and operational techniques, monitoring systems, regulatory conditions etc. that willbe helpful for industry as well as authorities for implementation of legal standards.<P>First results and conclusions<BR>A common understanding on BAT was developed. Indian officials start to play an active role to adjust the process to the specific Indian issues. The process of developing customized pilot-BREFs was started. <BR>Basic principles of the European approach like the polluter pays and the precautionary principle as well as the process integrated approach are generally applicable. However the one to one application of European standards is not sufficient because of different specific Indian condition like the lack of skilled personnel and the high number of small and micro scaled installations in highly polluted industrial clusters. Therefore the approach needs to be customized to these conditions. <BR>The stakeholder involvement in the information exchange will ensure higher acceptance of environmental standards by Industry and lead to more sustainable production in the Indian industry.<BR>By Almut Reichart