Environmental permits for Brussels-based retailers

Certain activities may require an environmental permit: bakeries, butchers, discotheques, theatres, etc.

What is the environmental permit ?

An environmental permit is required if your business may impact the environment, health, the neighbourhood's safety, or visitors. You must submit a permit application to Brussels Environment or your municipality and comply with all environmental regulations.

Be aware: The environmental permit is valid for 15 years and must be extended after that period. You must inform Brussels Environment if you are taking over an existing environmental permit or if you will be changing the premises. Before signing the commercial lease, be sure to check the expiration date of the environmental permit and ensure that it can be renewed. You should also add a condition precedent clause to the lease in case you do not receive an environmental permit.

When do you need an environmental permit ?

An environmental permit is generally required even if you believe that your activities, equipment or products don’t cause any pollution. Search the complete list of installations subject to an environmental permit here or via the list of sectors in question.
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How do you obtain an environmental permit ?

As a general rule, you only need to submit one environmental permit application (class 1A, 1B, 1D or 2), or one statement (1C or 3) with the most dangerous installation determining the class.
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Do you need advice to prepare your environmental permit application?

hub.brussels' urban planning and environment team

hub.brussels urban planning and environment team provides free, personalised, and confidential support to businesses in Brussels for all issues relating to the environment in the Brussels-Capital Region: environmental permits, soil, waste, water and energy management, and emissions permits.

The team is committed to:

• working with you to determine if you have classified facilities that require an environmental permit;
• checking whether your request requires a soil study or an energy audit;
• finding out whether you are using the right waste disposal channels;
• helping you prepare a complete application with all the required supporting documents;
• clarifying, where necessary, the opinions and decisions of the administrative authorities, after an inspection, for example.

You can reach them when you fill out this form below on the website or via email at: permit@hub.brussels.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT OF EACH MUNICIPALITY 

You can find preliminary information about any existing environmental permits covering your premises here. 

For more information about existing environmental permits, visit Brussels Environment or the environmental department of the relevant municipality.

A practical guide to environmental permits

Brussels Environment provides a practical guide to environmental permits.