Recognition as an environmental verifier for environmental audits
In implementation of the Decree of 5 April 1995 concerning general provisions relating to environmental policy or DABM (Dutch: Decreet houdende algemene bepalingen inzake milieubeleid/DABM), certain categories of establishments are subject to a periodic or one-off environmental audit.
This environmental audit as defined by the DBAM is an evaluation of the management, organisation and equipment of the establishment or activity concerned in terms of environmental protection. The environmental audit must be validated by a recognised environmental verifier.
Conditions
To be recognised as an environmental verifier for the environmental audit as defined by the DABM, you must fulfil:
- general recognition conditions(opens in new window) (page in Dutch) that apply to all the recognitions relating to the environment
- in the 3 years that precede the application for the Flemish recognition, the applicant has not been convicted of a criminal offence in a member state of the European Economic Area, for infringements of the environmental legislation concerning the use of the recognition
- in the 2 years that precede the application for the Flemish recognition, no recognition of the applicant with the same subject was revoked due to infringement of the obligations associated with that recognition.
- and the following special recognition condition:
- hold the title of environmental verifier with regard to the voluntary participation of organisations in an eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS). This title is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009.
Validity Period and obligations
Recognition as an environmental verifier for the environmental audit as defined by the DABM is granted for an indefinite period. However, the environmental verifier must comply with some of the requirements of use for the recognition
Procedure
Organisations that hold the title of environmental verifier under EMAS and meet the recognition conditions set out in the Flemish regulation on recognitions relating to the environment (Dutch: Vlaams reglement inzake erkenningen met betrekking tot het leefmilieu/VLAREL) must notify the Territorial Development, Environmental Planning and Projects (Dutch: Gebiedsontwikkeling, Omgevingsplanning en -projecten/GOP) Division of the Department of Environment and Spatial Development (Dutch: Departement Omgeving) of the use of the recognition.
The notification must be submitted through the online recognition desk of the Department of Environment and Spatial Development(opens in new window) (page in Dutch; click on ‘Ga naar het erkenningenloket’, log in with e-ID or eIDAS). The recognition shall only take effect from the date on which the use of the recognition is notified.
Cost
A yearly fee (in Dutch) shall be payable by the environmental verifier for supervision of the recognition.
- For 2025, the fee is €71.
Legislation
EMAS Regulation
Decree concerning general provisions relating to environmental policy (DABM)
Environmental Permit Decree
VLAREM
Flemish regulation on environmental recognitions (VLAREL)
