site.btaEnvironment Minister Discusses Challenges to Businesses with Bulgarian Industrial Association

Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov discussed the main challenges facing businesses with representatives of branch organizations and companies that are members of the Bulgarian Industrial Association, his Ministry said on Friday. “In our investment intentions we should never come into conflict with nature, as it is stronger than us and takes revenge,” Genov said at the meeting.

The Environment Minister responded to numerous questions and heard the expectations of the business community, mainly related to environmental regulatory regimes, effective solutions for the circular economy, waste management, the decarbonization of the economy, and the implementation of EU directives.

Taking part in the discussion were representatives of branch organizations and enterprises from the chemical, metallurgical, recycling, polymer, wood, tobacco, textile, mining and mineral processing industries, manufacturers of household appliances, poultry and pig breeders, producers of vegetable oils and oil crops, soft drinks producers, brewers, traders and water supply operators.

A question was raised about the need to expand the scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which currently targets carbon-intensive industries such as steel, cement and aluminium. Extending it to products made from these materials, such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners, would ensure fairer working conditions for all businesses concerned, the participants agreed. Genov said this dovetails with the government's views. “Without this extension, EU producers would incur higher costs due to carbon pricing rules for materials such as steel and aluminium, which would undermine their competitiveness,” he said, adding that this position is supported by other EU Member States, but that negotiations on the extension are still pending.

Responding to a proposal to simplify the regime for issuing or amending integrated environmental permits, Genov said the duration of the permitting procedure under the  Environmental Protection Act is 190-200 days, but in most cases this period is extended because the operators of installations need to supplement or amend their applications.