Chemical BREFs Review Cycle and Strategy

In 2023, Seeds was engaged by Air Quality Consultants Ltd (AQC) to provide expert support for a report focused on identifying options and proposing recommendations for the review strategy of the chemical BREFs series. Commissioned by the Directorate-General of the European Commission (DG-ENV), the project aimed to develop a strategic framework for reviewing and updating the 8 chemicals BREFs, a key component of the EU’s industrial emissions policy. It involved identifying criteria to analyse and rank the various solutions, with the objective of delivering a comprehensive analysis of the proposed options for the future of the chemical BREF series.

The client requested the development of a Draft Strategy—a comprehensive document intended to guide the review cycle of Chemical BREFs. This involved engaging stakeholders to gather feedback and insights, organising workshops to facilitate discussion and refine the approach, and ultimately drafting a final Strategy Document that reflects the input collected throughout the process.

The following activities were carried out to finalize the Strategy document:

1. ‍Strategy Development: A comprehensive strategy document was drafted in collaboration with AQC, outlining the approach for the BREFs review cycle. This involved synthesising complex regulatory requirements and aligning them with practical implementation strategies.‍
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Targeted support was provided to engage key stakeholders, facilitating discussions and gathering feedback, which was crucial for refining the strategy.‍
3. Workshop Coordination: Seeds helped in the organization and planning of a series of workshops, which were essential for validating the strategy and incorporating stakeholder input. These sessions ensured the strategy remained practical and aligned with regulatory expectations.‍
4. Finalisation of the Strategy: Based on stakeholder feedback and workshop outcomes, the strategy document was refined and finalised, ensuring readiness for implementation and alignment with client requirements.

The collaboration resulted in several key achievements. Firstly, a strategic framework was successfully delivered, providing clear guidance for the review and update of the Chemical BREFs, and serving as a key reference for the subsequent stages of the project. Seeds' involvement also enhanced stakeholder engagement, ensuring the strategy benefited from a wide range of perspectives.

Despite tight deadlines, all deliverables were completed on time, which allowed a timely and efficient continuation of the project.