ZVO Presents Industry Positions on the Industrial Emissions Directive in Brussels

The exchange with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment in Brussels focused on the IED, the STM BREF, and industry participation in the Seville process (Image: Adobe Stock/tauav)

On March 9, 2026, the Zentralverband Oberflächentechnik (ZVO) met in Brussels with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENVI) to discuss current regulatory initiatives. The aim of the exchange was to bring the surface technology industry’s positions into European legislative and BREF processes at an early stage.

Representing the association at the meeting were Head of Public Affairs Lukas Hanstein and Dr. Malte-Matthias Zimmer, Head of Environmental and Chemicals Policy. They were accompanied by representatives of member companies Diehl Metall Applications and Rolls-Royce, who contributed practical experience from industrial applications.

Focus on the Industrial Emissions Directive and the STM BREF

The discussion centered on the further development of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the ongoing process to draft the STM BREF. BREF documents are particularly relevant for surface technology companies because they help define technical requirements and emissions standards in practice.

According to ZVO, the association used the meeting to present the positions of its member companies at an early stage of the process. Representatives of the participating companies also shared their experience from industrial practice.

Emission limit corridors and BAT-AEPLs addressed

According to ZVO, the discussion made clear that emission limit corridors within the BREF development process are being considered as a possible alternative to rigid minimum limit values. Such an approach could better reflect differing technical conditions across companies.

In addition, the Commission reportedly explained that so-called BAT-AEPLs, based on the current state of play, are not intended to have any immediate definitional effect for companies. In the view of many companies, this clarification is relevant because the practical significance of these values had until now been unclear in some respects.

Industry participation in the Seville process

Another topic was the role of industry in the so-called Seville process, in which the BREF documents are developed. According to ZVO, the Commission emphasized that robust company data and practical experience with existing technologies are an important foundation for regulation.

The association said it would continue to contribute to the process together with its member companies. In ZVO’s view, early exchange with European institutions remains important, particularly in technically complex regulatory proceedings.