Best Available Techniques (BAT)
Best Available Techniques stands for the most effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their methods of operation which indicate the practical suitability of particular techniques for providing on principle the basis for emission limit values designed to prevent and, where that is not practicable, generally to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole (IPPC directive 96/61/European Community).

Cleaner Production (CP)
Cleaner production (CP) is the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy applied to processes, products and services to increase efficiency and reduce risk. This strategy typically involves the modification of production processes, using a life-cycle approach, and results in meeting customer needs with more environmentally compatible products and services. Cleaner production also brings tangible economic savings and financial benefits. Parallel concepts to cleaner production are pollution prevention, waste minimisation, eco-efficiency and green productivity.

Cleaner Production Centers (CPC)
Cleaner production centers act as intermediaries between national and international industries and offer general information on environmental technologies, technical assistance, training and financial advice for both the private and public sectors of their country.

Clean technologies
Clean technologies include both process and product engineering and reduce the pollutants inherent in industrial production.

Cleaning technologies
Cleaning technologies are the so-called end-of-pipe technologies.

CNPMLTA
National Center of Cleaner Production and Environmental Technologies. www.cnpml.org

End-of-pipe technology
End-of-pipe technology is a means for treating already formed emissions and waste at the end of a production line that needs specific equipment and causes additional energy and material demand.

Energy Efficiency
The ratio between the consumption of energy and a given quantity; usually refers to the amount of primary or final energy consumed per unit of gross domestic or national product.

Environmentally Sound Technologies (EST)
Those technologies which protect the environment, produce less pollutants, and conserve resources, result in recyclable waste and products, and offer better waste disposal potential than the technologies they replace.

Environmental Management System (EMS)
Part of the overall management system that includes organisational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy.

Pollution Prevention
Use of processes, practices, materials or products that avoid, reduce or control pollution, which may include recycling, treatment, process changes, control mechanisms, efficient use of resources and material substitution.

SECO
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs: http://www.admin.ch/seco

Technology
Technology in its narrower sense is nothing more than process engineering. However, in a wider sense, it is understood to be a product in itself, which in addition to machinery and equipment, advance concessions, patents, trademarks, instructions, descriptions and experience of specialist personnel, also includes know-how.

Technology Assessment
An analytical tool used to help understand the likely impact of the use of a new technology by an industry or by society.

Technology Cooperation
Technology cooperation is effective cooperation between business or industry parties which develop, hold, and use environmentally sound technologies, and counterparts which wish to do the same for the purpose of business development. Their ownership may be common or separate, in the public sector, or in the private sector.

Technology Transfer (TT)
Technology transfer is understood to be the passing of theoretical and practical skills and know-how from the owner of a technology to outside users or beneficiaries of technology. Technology transfer is in comparison to technology cooperation an isolated and time-limited transaction. Technology transfer is not simply about the supply and shipment of hardware across international borders. It is about the complex process of sharing knowledge and adapting technology to meet local conditions. It strengthens human and technological capacity in developing countries.