Environmental obligations and best available technology (BAT)

According to law, a business must be aware of its environmental obligations as well as prevent and limit pollution resulting from its actions. Thus the business must be aware of the environmental impacts, environmental risks and the possibilities of minimizing negative impacts. If the business’ activities cause or may cause pollution to the environment, the business must immediately commence necessary actions to prevent pollution or, in case the environment has already been polluted, limit the negative impacts as small as possible.

The Environmental Protection Act obligates the business to apply the best available technology (BAT) in its actions. The purpose of the BAT reference documents is to promote nature conservation and unify environmental permit procedures in the EU. Sector-specific reports concerning best available technologies are the most important part of the reference documents. Such reports have crucial meaning in ascertaining the conditions of environmental permits. Additional information on BAT is available from the Regional State Administrative Agency (Aluehallintovirasto).