Companies in the Netherlands with valid and current permits under the Environmental Management Act, 1999-2002
Approximately 85 per cent of the companies required to do so have valid and current permits.
Companies answerable to the competent provincial authority
Of the companies requiring permits that are answerable to the competent provincial authority (approximately 5,000 in total) approximately 85% had a valid and current permit in 2002. Being in possession of a valid and current permit means that the permit should be appropriate for the current situation in legal terms and in terms of the content. For example, the permit may reflect current technological developments or broader implementation.
The percentage of companies with a valid and current permit varies from province to province from 65% to almost 100%. In 2001, this was an average of 90% for all provinces. Compared to 2001, the percentage has fallen slightly.
When interpreting the data, it is important to bear in mind that 11 of the 13 provincial authorities provided information.
Companies answerable to the competent municipal authority
In 2002, 86% of the approximately 64,000 companies required to do so had valid and current permits. After a slight fall between 1999 and 2001, this percentage stabilised in the next two years. The picture is the same for most municipal authorities, but there are sharp rises and falls in some municipalities. The response from municipal authorities was approximately 50%.
Policy relating to the granting of permits
Section 8.1 of the Environmental Management Act sets out the obligation to acquire authorisation to establish or change an establishment, to change the way in which an establishment operates or to operate an establishment. The authorisation procedures make it possible to impose measures on establishments within the framework of national legislation. In general, the obligation to acquire authorisation applies to establishments that burden the environment. Establishments that impose less of a burden on the environment are not usually required to have a permit and are covered by rules with a direct operation drawn up under the Environmental Management Act (mainly orders in council under section 8.40). These companies are required to submit reports in accordance with Section 8.40 of the Environmental Management Act.
Monitoring methods of provincial and municipal authorities
The government monitoring coordination committee asks all municipal authorities about their environment policy every year. In 2002, approximately 50% of the nearly 500 municipal authorities replied. The indicator is based on the responses of these municipal authorities unless otherwise stated in Annex C of the annual report.
In the context of the 'IPO Environment, Agriculture, Water and Nature Report', the Association of Provincial Authorities (IPO) questions all provincial authorities annually about their environment policy. The figures presented are based on data from all the provincial authorities unless otherwise stated in the text.
