Integrated environment permit to operate classified establishments or activities
If you want to start a business in Flanders, you must check if you need an integrated environment permit to operate classified establishments or activities. In certain cases only a notification requirement applies. It depends on whether your company belongs to Categories 1, 2, or 3 of the Flemish Regulation on Environmental Permits (VLAREM).
Conditions
First find out to which category your company belongs. Categories 1, 2, and 3 indicate the degree of nuisance your company can potentially cause to people and the environment. The division into categories is based on the nature and severity of the environmental effects:
- Category 1 encompasses the activities causing the most nuisance
- Category 2 encompasses the activities causing less nuisance
- Category 3 encompasses the activities causing the least nuisance
The VLAREM-Wegwijzer (in Dutch)(opens in new window) helps you to determine the category to which your company belongs. It also shows you whether you are required to have a permit or must make a notification, and if so, which permit and for what purpose. You can also consult the most recent list of the Flemish Regulation on Environmental Permits (VLAREM) (in Dutch)(opens in new window). Depending on the category you will require a different integrated environment permit:
- A permit is required for categories 1 and 2.
- Category 3 requires a notification only.
Procedure
Dossiers at the Flemish and provincial level (first instance)
All Flemish and provincial projects
- Flemish projects and projects covering two or more provinces
- provincial projects and projects covering two or more municipalities
- category 1 classified establishments or activities
- and any notifications, adjustments, etc. to the above projects
must be submitted via the online Environment and Spatial Planning Desk (‘Omgevingsloket’(opens in new window)) to the provincial executive of the province in which the operation will take place.
Flemish and provincial projects in municipalities with linguistic facilities must still be submitted on paper to the provincial executive of the province in which the operation will take place.
One public enquiry and one consultation round are organised following the application. The permit will be granted or refused within four and a half months.
Dossiers at the local level (municipalities)
The local dossiers for category 2 classified establishments or activities must be submitted via the online Environment and Spatial Planning Desk(opens in new window) to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the municipality in which the operation will take place.
Local projects in municipalities with linguistic facilities must still be submitted on paper to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the municipality in which the operation will take place.
One public enquiry and one consultation round are organised following the application. The permit will be granted or refused within three and a half months.
Notification requirement
If your company belongs to category 3, you are only required to notify (in Dutch)(opens in new window) this.
Appeal
If your permit is refused, you can appeal against this decision:
- Category 1 companies can lodge an appeal with the Government of Flanders.
- Category 2 companies can lodge an appeal with the provincial executive.
Conversion of current environmental permits
An operator can request the conversion of certain environmental permits (in Dutch)(opens in new window) into an integrated environment permit for indefinite duration through a simple procedure via the Environment and Spatial Planning Desk.
The current environmental permit must meet the following requirements:
- The environmental permit was granted for 20 years.
- The conversion is requested between the 48th and 36th month before expiry of the environmental permit.
- The town planning activities necessary for the operation of the classified establishment were essentially licensed at the time of the conversion request.
- The conversion request does not require an EIA or an appropriate assessment.
- Neither the public concerned nor the advisory bodies submit a reasoned objection during the conversion procedure.
In all other cases, the operator must submit a new application to renew the integrated environment permit via the online Environment and Spatial Planning Desk(opens in new window).
Need help with your permit application
Contact your local environmental service
