Operating an establishment in Wallonia: environmental permit or environmental statement and operating conditions

Do you have a project to create, expand or continue to operate an industrial, artisanal, agricultural or commercial business activity at an establishment in Wallonia? 

Whether you are self-employed, the manager of a company or a private individual in Wallonia, you are required to obtain various authorisations that are essential to be able to operate an establishment that accommodates certain activities and/or facilities. 

All establishments in Wallonia that are likely to have adverse impacts on human health or the environment (air polluting emissions, waste water discharges, noise, odours, waste generation, etc.) are required to apply for an environmental permit or to make an environmental statement. 

Proposed establishments (projects) subject to these authorisations are very numerous and cover many activities in various sectors, such as: 

• vehicle repair and servicing workshops
• service stations
• agricultural holdings
• supermarkets
• carwashes
• joiner’s workshops
• animal breeders
• restaurants
• chip shops or stands
• slaughterhouses
• technical landfill sites
• laundry services, launderettes
• sports centres
• concert halls
• …

More generically, in Wallonia, the environmental permit: 

• is an authorisation to operate an activity that includes one or more facilities that may have an impact on the environment or the neighbourhood
• is a prior authorisation to start an activity
• contains technical clarifications and conditions that fit in with your business activity
• ensures that any harm or inconvenience caused to the environment, animal welfare, health and public safety is limited. 

 

A tool to help meet the challenges of preservation 

The preservation of the environment, life and Walloon heritage is at the heart of the environmental permit or environmental statement requirement. 

Environment 

Air, soil and water quality is fundamental to the health of our environment; preserving them is essential to maintain biological diversity and balance. 

The environmental permit and environmental statement ensure that the activities an establishment undertakes and its facilities do not damage these valuable resources and that the region’s biodiversity is maintained. 

Life 

Human health and the safety of the population are directly linked to the quality of our environment. A strict environmental permit helps to minimise harms such as noise, pollution and waste, thereby helping to preserve the surrounding quality of life. It also contributes to the protection of nature and therefore of animals by ensuring that natural habitats are protected and that species are preserved. 

Walloon heritage 

Wallonia has a wealth of nature, diverse landscapes and natural resources; Preserving these is an integral part of our heritage and identity. The aim of the environmental permit is to ensure that any economic activity or development respects these natural treasures. 

 

Determine the potential impact of your project 

Facilities or activities are listed and classified according to how much they potentially impact the environment, human beings or animals: 

• Class 1: significant impact
• Class 2: medium impact
• Class 3: minor impact 

Facilities or activities in class 1 and class 2 require an environmental permit. 

Facilities or activities in  class 3 require an environmental statement. 

A project generally includes several facilities and activities. It is therefore the activity or facility with the greatest impact that will determine the class of your project. 

For example, if your project has one activity in class 1 and one facility in class 2, you will need to apply for a class-1 environmental permit in order to set up your establishment. 

 

Operating conditions to be complied with 

To be able to operate an establishment, you need to obtain an environmental permit or make a class-3 statement and comply with the operating conditions. (see the ‘Terms’ section below). 

The operating conditions are regularly updated to adapt to new knowledge and technological developments. 

 

Does the environmental permit or environmental statement affect you? 

Find out if your project requires an environmental permit or environmental statement via the tool available on the Permis-On-Web site. 

Depending on your business activity and/or your facilities: 

• determine the class of your project
• consult the legal references to be observed with regard to operating conditions

Then, depending on the class of your establishment, visit the related procedure that allows you to: 

• Apply for an environmental permit or a single permit for a class-1 or class-2 establishment
• Make an environmental statement for a class-3 establishment