The proposal for a Council framework directive sought to prevent and minimise emissions from industrial installations into the air, water or soil, on the basis of an integrated approach which was to replace the sectoral approach followed to date. The objective was to resolve the problems of pollution rather than to transfer them from one environment to the other. The text provided for respect by industrial installations of emission limit values fixed on the basis of 'best available techniques' (BATs) and the issue of permits to those installations. Having regard to the principle of subsidiarity, the Member States were allowed a large scope of action: it was proposed that in the first instance the Member States adopted their own emission limit values based on BATs for the industrial sectors referred to in the directive. However, the Member States were required to inform the Commission of the emission limit values and the best available techniques adopted. After 30 June 2005 no existing installation would be operated without a permit issued pursuant to the directive.
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