ABSTRACT
For new processes three principles must be borne in mind: (i) the cost of best available techniques must be weighed against the environmental damage from the process; the greater the environmental damage, the greater the cost of best available techniques which can be required without being considered excessive; (ii) if serious harm would still result even after best available techniques have been imposed, then the application should be refused; and (iii) the concept of cost is objective and is to be determined by considering the industry as a whole. The lack of profitability of a particular operator is not relevant.
