# Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2119Show full title

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2119 of 20 November 2015 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions,            under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for the production of wood-based panels (notified            under document C(2015) 8062) (Text with EEA relevance)         

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U.K.

# Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/2119                     

# of 20 November 2015

# establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the                        Council, for the production of wood-based panels                     

# *(notified under document C(2015) 8062)*

# (Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions                           (integrated pollution prevention and control)(1), and in particular Article 13(5) thereof,                        

Whereas:

(1)The Commission established a forum composed of representatives of Member States, the industries concerned and non-governmental                              organisations promoting environmental protection by Decision of 16 May 2011 establishing a forum for the exchange of information                              pursuant to Article 13 of Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions(2).

(2)In accordance with Article 13(4) of Directive 2010/75/EU, the Commission obtained the opinion of that forum on the proposed                              content of the BAT reference document for the production of wood-based panels on 24 September 2014 and made it publicly available.

(3)The BAT conclusions set out in the Annex to this Decision are the key element of that BAT reference document and lay down                              the conclusions on best available techniques, their description, information to assess their applicability, the emission levels                              associated with the best available techniques, associated monitoring, associated consumption levels and, where appropriate,                              relevant site remediation measures.

(4)BAT conclusions are the reference for setting permit conditions for installations covered by Chapter II of Directive 2010/75/EU                              and competent authorities should set emission limit values that ensure that, under normal operating conditions, emissions                              do not exceed the emission levels associated with the best available techniques as laid down in the BAT conclusions.

(5)The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 75(1)                              of Directive 2010/75/EU,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

# Article 1U.K.

The BAT conclusions for the production of wood-based panels, as set out in the Annex, are adopted.

# Article 2U.K.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 20 November 2015.

*For the Commission*                            

Karmenu Vella                            

*Member of the Commission*                            

## ANNEXU.K.**BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WOOD-BASED PANELS**

### **SCOPE**U.K.

These BAT conclusions concern the activities specified in Section 6.1(c) of Annex I to Directive 2010/75/EU, namely:
          -  production in industrial installations of one or more of the following wood-based panels: oriented strand board, particleboard                           or fibreboard with a production capacity exceeding 600 m3 per day.                         

In particular, these BAT conclusions cover the following:
          -  the manufacture of wood-based panels; 
          -  on-site combustion plants (including engines) generating hot gases for directly heated dryers; 
          -  the manufacture of impregnated paper with resins. 

These BAT conclusions do not address the following activities and processes:
          -  on-site combustion plants (including engines) not generating hot gases for directly heated dryers; 
          -  the lamination, lacquering or painting of raw board. 

Other reference documents which are relevant for the activities covered by these BAT conclusions are the following:

### **GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS**U.K.

#### BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUESU.K.

The techniques listed and described in these BAT conclusions are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive. Other techniques may                     be used that ensure at least an equivalent level of environmental protection.                  

Unless stated otherwise, the BAT conclusions are generally applicable.

#### EMISSION LEVELS ASSOCIATED WITH BAT (BAT-AELs) FOR EMISSIONS TO AIRU.K.

Unless stated otherwise, the BAT-AELs for emissions to air given in these BAT conclusions refer to concentrations expressed                     as mass of emitted substance per volume of waste gas under standard conditions (273,15 K, 101,3 kPa) and on a dry basis, expressed                     in the unit mg/Nm3.                  

The reference oxygen levels are the following:

The formula for calculating the emission concentration at the reference oxygen level is:

The BAT-AELs for emissions to air refer to the average over the sampling period, meaning the following:

Average value of three consecutive measurements of at least 30 minutes each(3)                   

#### EMISSION LEVELS ASSOCIATED WITH BAT (BAT-AELs) FOR EMISSIONS TO WATERU.K.

The BAT-AELs for emissions to water given in these BAT conclusions refer to values of concentrations (mass of emitted substances                     per volume of water), expressed in the unit mg/l.                  

These BAT-AELs refer to the average of samples obtained during one year, meaning the flow-weighted average of all 24-hour                     flow-proportional composite samples, taken in one year with the minimum frequency set for the relevant parameter and under                     normal operating conditions.                  

The formula for calculating the flow-weighted average of all 24-hour flow-proportional composite samples is:

Time-proportional sampling can be used provided that sufficient flow stability can be demonstrated.

All BAT-AELs for emissions to water apply at the point where the emission leaves the installation.

### **DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS**U.K.

For the purpose of these BAT conclusions, the following definitions apply:

#### 1.1.GENERAL BAT CONCLUSIONSU.K.

##### 1.1.1.**Environmental management system**U.K.

###### *BAT 1.**In order to improve the overall environmental performance, BAT is to implement and adhere to an environmental management system                           (EMS) that incorporates all of the following features:*U.K.

commitment of the management, including senior management;

definition of an environmental policy that includes the continuous improvement of the installation by the management;

planning and establishing the necessary procedures, objectives and targets, in conjunction with financial planning and investment;

implementation of procedures paying particular attention to:

structure and responsibility

recruitment, training, awareness and competence

communication

employee involvement

documentation

effective process control

maintenance programmes

emergency preparedness and response

safeguarding compliance with environmental legislation;

checking performance and taking corrective action, paying particular attention to:

monitoring and measurement (see also the Reference Report on Monitoring)

corrective and preventive action

maintenance of records

independent (where practicable) internal and external auditing in order to determine whether or not the EMS conforms to planned                                       arrangements and has been properly implemented and maintained;                                    

review of the EMS and its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness by senior management;

following the development of cleaner technologies;

consideration for the environmental impacts from the eventual decommissioning of the installation at the stage of designing                              a new plant, and throughout its operating life;                           

application of sectoral benchmarking on a regular basis.

In some cases, the following features are part of the EMS:

waste management plan (see BAT 11);

quality control plan for recovered wood used as raw material for panels and used as a fuel (see BAT 2b);

noise management plan (see BAT 4);

odour management plan (see BAT 9);

dust management plan (see BAT 23).

###### *Applicability*U.K.

The scope (e.g. level of detail) and nature of the EMS (e.g. standardised or non-standardised) will generally be related to                     the nature, scale and complexity of the installation, and the range of environmental impacts it may have.                  

##### 1.1.2.**Good housekeeping**U.K.

###### *BAT 2.**In order to minimise the environmental impact of the production process, BAT is to apply good housekeeping principles using                           all of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *BAT 3.**In order to reduce emissions to air, BAT is to operate the waste gas treatment systems with a high availability and at optimal                           capacity during normal operating conditions.*U.K.

###### *Description*U.K.

Special procedures can be defined for other than normal operating conditions, in particular:

during start-up and shut-down operations;

during other special circumstances which could affect the proper functioning of the systems (e.g. regular and extraordinary                              maintenance work and cleaning operations of the combustion plant and/or of the waste gas treatment system).                           

##### 1.1.3.**Noise**U.K.

###### *BAT 4.**In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce noise and vibrations, BAT is to use one or a combination                           of the techniques given below.*U.K.

##### 1.1.4.**Emissions to soil and groundwater**U.K.

###### *BAT 5.**In order to prevent emissions to soil and groundwater, BAT is to use the techniques given below.*U.K.

load and unload resins and other auxiliary materials only in designated areas that are protected against leakage run-off;

whilst awaiting disposal, collect all material and store in designated areas protected against leakage run-off;

equip all pump sumps or other intermediary storage facilities from which spillages may occur with alarms activated by high                              levels of liquid;                           

establish and implement a programme for the testing and inspection of tanks and pipelines carrying resins, additives and resin                              mixes;                           

carry out inspections for leaks on all flanges and valves on pipes used to transport materials other than water and wood;                              maintain a log of these inspections;                           

provide a containment system to collect any leaks from flanges and valves on pipes used to transport materials other than                              water and wood, except when the construction of flanges or valves is technically tight;                           

provide an adequate supply of containment booms and suitable absorbent material;

avoid underground piping for transporting substances other than water and wood;

collect and safely dispose of all water from firefighting;

construct impermeable bottoms in retention basins for surface run-off water from outdoor wood storage areas.

##### 1.1.5.**Energy management and energy efficiency**U.K.

###### *BAT 6.**In order to reduce energy consumption, BAT is to adopt an energy management plan, which includes all of the techniques given                           below.*U.K.

use a system to track energy usage and costs;

carry out energy efficiency audits of major operations;

use a systematic approach to continuously upgrade equipment in order to increase energy efficiency;

upgrade controls of energy usage;

apply in-house energy management training for operators.

###### *BAT 7.**In order to increase the energy efficiency, BAT is to optimise the operation of the combustion plant by monitoring and controlling                           key combustion parameters (e.g. O2, CO, NOx) and applying one or a combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *BAT 8.**In order to use energy efficiently in the preparation of wet fibres for fibreboard production, BAT is to use one or a combination                           of the techniques given below.*U.K.

##### 1.1.6.**Odour**U.K.

###### *BAT 9.**In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce odour from the installation, BAT is to set up, implement                           and regularly review an odour management plan, as part of the environmental management system (see BAT 1), that includes all                           of the following elements:*U.K.

a protocol containing actions and timelines;

a protocol for conducting odour monitoring;

a protocol for response to identified odour events;

an odour prevention and reduction programme designed to identify the source(s); to measure/estimate odour exposure; to characterise                              the contributions of the sources; and to implement prevention and/or reduction measures.                           

###### *Applicability*U.K.

The applicability is restricted to cases where an odour nuisance in residential or other sensitive areas (e.g. recreational                     areas) can be expected and/or has been reported.                  

###### *BAT 10.**In order to prevent and reduce odour, BAT is to treat waste gas from the dryer and the press, according to BAT 17 and 19.*U.K.

##### 1.1.7.**Management of waste and residues**U.K.

###### *BAT 11.**In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce the quantity of waste being sent for disposal, BAT is to                           adopt and implement a waste management plan as part of the environmental management system (see BAT 1) that, in order of priority,                           ensures that waste is prevented, prepared for reuse, recycled or otherwise recovered.*U.K.

###### *BAT 12.**In order to reduce the quantity of solid waste being sent for disposal, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques                           given below.*U.K.

###### *BAT 13.**In order to ensure the safe management and reuse of bottom ash and slag from biomass-firing, BAT is to use all of the techniques                           given below.*U.K.

##### 1.1.8.**Monitoring**U.K.

###### *BAT 14.**BAT is to monitor emissions to air and water and to monitor process flue-gases in accordance with EN standards with at least                           the frequency given below. If EN standards are not available, BAT is to use ISO, national or other international standards                           that ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality.*U.K.

###### **Monitoring of emissions to air from the dryer and for combined treated emissions from the dryer and the press**

###### **Monitoring of channelled emissions to air from upstream and downstream processing**

###### **Monitoring of combustion process flue-gas that is subsequently used for directly heated dryers**a

###### **Monitoring of emissions to water from wood fibre production**

###### **Monitoring of emissions to water from surface run-off water**

###### *BAT 15.**In order to ensure the stability and efficiency of techniques used to prevent and reduce emissions, BAT is to monitor appropriate                           surrogate parameters.*U.K.

###### *Description*U.K.

The surrogate parameters monitored may include: waste gas airflow; waste gas temperature; visual appearance of emissions;                     water flow and water temperature for scrubbers; voltage drop for electrostatic precipitators; fan speed and pressure drop                     across bag filters. The selection of surrogate parameters depends on the techniques implemented for the prevention and reduction                     of emissions.                  

###### *BAT 16.**BAT is to monitor key process parameters relevant for emissions to water from the production process, including waste water                           flow, pH and temperature.*U.K.

#### 1.2.EMISSIONS TO AIRU.K.

##### 1.2.1.**Channelled emissions**U.K.

###### *BAT 17.**In order to prevent or reduce emissions to air from the dryer, BAT is to achieve and manage a balanced operation of the drying                           process and to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *Table 1*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for emissions to air from the dryer and for combined treated emissions from the                           dryer and the press**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

###### *BAT 18.**In order to prevent or reduce NOX emissions to air from directly heated dryers, BAT is to use technique (a) or technique (a) in combination with technique                           (b).*U.K.

###### *Table 2*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for NOX emissions to air from a directly heated dryer**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

###### *BAT 19.**In order to prevent or reduce emissions to air from the press, BAT is to use in-duct quenching of collected press waste gas                           and an appropriate combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *Table 3*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for emissions to air from the press**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

###### *BAT 20.**In order to reduce dust emissions to air from upstream and downstream wood processing, conveying of wood materials and mat                           forming, BAT is to use either a bag filter or a cyclofilter.*U.K.

###### *Applicability*U.K.

Due to safety concerns, a bag filter or a cyclofilter may not be applicable when recovered wood is used as a raw material.                     In that case a wet abatement technique (e.g. scrubber) may be used.                  

###### *Table 4*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for channelled dust emissions to air from upstream and downstream wood processing,                           conveying of wood materials and mat forming**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

###### *BAT 21.**In order to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds to air from the drying ovens for the impregnation of paper, BAT                           is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *Table 5*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for TVOC and formaldehyde emissions to air from a drying oven for the impregnation                           of paper**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

##### 1.2.2.**Diffuse emissions**U.K.

###### *BAT 22.**In order to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce diffuse emissions to air from the press, BAT is to optimise                           the efficiency of the off-gas collection and to channel the off-gases for treatment (see BAT 19).*U.K.

###### *Description*U.K.

Effective collection and treatment of waste gases (see BAT 19) both at the press exit and along the press line for continuous                     presses. For existing multi-opening presses the applicability of enclosing the press may be restricted due to safety reasons.                  

###### *BAT 23.**In order to reduce diffuse dust emissions to air from the transport, handling, and storage of wood materials, BAT is to set                           up and implement a dust management plan, as part of the environmental management system (see BAT 1) and to apply one or a                           combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

#### 1.3.EMISSIONS TO WATERU.K.

##### *BAT 24.**In order to reduce the pollution load of the collected waste water, BAT is to use both of the techniques given below.*U.K.

##### *BAT 25.**In order to reduce emissions to water from surface run-off water, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *Table 6*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for TSS for the direct discharge of surface run-off water to a receiving water body**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

##### *BAT 26.**In order to prevent or reduce the generation of process waste water from wood fibre production, BAT is to maximise process                           water recycling.*U.K.

##### *Description*U.K.

Recycle process water from chip washing, cooking and/or refining in closed or open loops by treating it at the refiner plant                     level by mechanical removal of solids, in the most appropriate manner, or by evaporation.                  

##### *BAT 27.**In order to reduce emissions to water from wood fibre production, BAT is to use a combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

###### *Table 7*

**BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for the direct discharge to a receiving water body of process waste water from wood                           fibre production**

The associated monitoring is in BAT 14.

##### *BAT 28.**In order to prevent or reduce the generation of waste water from wet air abatement systems that will need treatment prior                           to discharge, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.*U.K.

#### 1.4.DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUESU.K.

##### 1.4.1.**Emissions to air**U.K.

##### 1.4.2.**Emissions to water**U.K.

1

OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17.                           

2

OJ C 146, 17.5.2011, p. 3.                           

3

A more suitable measurement period may be employed for any parameter where, due to sampling or analytical limitations, a 30-minute                              measurement is inappropriate.