‘best available techniques’ means the most effective and advanced stage in the
development of activities and their methods of operation which indicates the
practical suitability of particular techniques for providing the basis for emission
limit values and other permit conditions designed to prevent and where that is
not practicable, to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment as a
whole.
(a) “techniques” includes both the technology used and the way in which the
installation is designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
(b) “available” techniques means those developed on a scale which allows
implementation in the relevant industrial sector, under economically and
technically viable conditions, taking into consideration the costs and
advantages, whether or not the techniques are used or produced inside the
Member State in question, as long as they are reasonably accessible to the
operator;
(c) “best” means most effective in achieving a high general level of protection
of the environment as a whole