Environmentally hazardous activities that require permission, B-activities

All activities that can have a negative impact on the environment are called environmentally hazardous. This could be, for example, emissions to air or water, radiation, noise or smell.

Activities subject to a permit or notification are divided into A, B and C-activities. Activities subject to a permit are those where it is generally assessed that there is such a large risk of negative environmental impact that they may not be carried out without a permit. The classification of A, B or C-activities is listed in the environmental assessment regulation (SFS 2013:251).

What are B- and A-activities?

B-activities require permission from the county administrative board. Administrators at the county administrative board prepare the case and the environmental assessment delegation (MPD) decides.

B-activities can be, for example, sewage treatment plants, quarries, wind power plants, agriculture with animal husbandry, food and feed, wood products, vehicle washing and many industrial facilities.

A-activities require permission from the Land and Environment Court. These are activities that usually have significant environmental impact, for example paper industries, large energy plants and oil refineries. 

Application for permission for B-activities

An examination of environmentally hazardous activities always begins with you, who is applying for a permit, having a consultation with, among others, the county administrative board. You must draw up a consultation document and then consult with the county administrative board, the municipality, relevant authorities, neighbours and other stakeholders.

Then you submit the application for permission together with an environmental impact statement. When the case is complete, the application is announced and sent for referral. The Environmental Assessment Delegation (MPD) makes decisions on the permit. The decision can be appealed to the Land and Environment Court.

On the county boards\' websites, there is detailed information on how to apply and how the permit examination is carried out. 

If you take over environmentally hazardous activities which already have a permit, you must notify the County Administrative Board. 

Supervision and internal audits

The County Administrative Board is the supervisory authority but can transfer the supervision to the municipality if the municipal council requests it.

The supervisory authority checks that laws, regulations, permits and decisions are followed. The supervisory authority must have regular contact with your business and can visit to ensure that the business meets the requirements of the Environmental Code. The supervisory authority may charge a supervisory fee. The fee is based on the type and size of the business. More information is available on your county board´s or your municipality´s website.

An important task for supervision is to ensure that you, who conduct an environmentally hazardous business, have good routines and that there is a well-documented self-control. More support and information for your business\'s self-control is available on the Environmental Protection Agency\'s website, see link.

If you violate certain regulations in the Environmental Code or if the environmentally hazardous activity does not comply with the regulations, the county administrative board can levy an environmental penalty fee or file a criminal complaint.