Industrial Emissions Directive Review: sharing perspectives on pollution reduction

The Roundtable was chaired by Radan Kanev MEP, EEF Active Member and ENVI Rapporteur on the review of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), who wished to discuss the main points of his draft report with the EEF Members from the industry, his colleagues MEPs and the European Commission.

MEP Kanev outlined the main objectives of his work: maintain the high ambition set by the EC, ensure both the concerns of the industry and the sensibility of local population are taken into account, and improve the text’s clarity. Further reducing industrial emissions is necessary, and this must happen while enhancing the competitiveness of EU industry, which is key for the EU economic autonomy. The Sevilla process, the very core of the IED, is an efficient instrument to achieve all the above and should thus be safeguarded and reinforced.

MEP Kanev was joined by Michal Wiezik MEP, ENVI Shadow Rapporteur on the file as well as by Stefan Leiner and Christopher Allen, respectively Incoming Head of Unit and Deputy Head of Unit “Industrial Emissions and Safety” of DG ENV, European Commission, who shared their views on the proposal. They agreed with the Rapporteur on the importance of maintaining ambition high while setting the conditions for the EU industry to flourish and deepening the link between the IED and the Green Deal, as well as on the efficiency of the Sevilla process.

These high-level meetings allow for more detailed and technical discussions. The debate was fuelled by the EEF Members from the industry providing input and asking questions on specific provisions. The very pertinent comments were noted by both the MEPs and the European Commission, who took the time to reply and clarify their points of view.

The EEF Members also seized the opportunity to congratulate MEP Kanev for his extensive work.