This Order is an important instrument of environmental control, establishing clear rules for recording the state of the environment at industrial facilities. It defines the form and content of the “baseline report,” which installation operators are required to prepare in order to obtain an integrated environmental permit. The document introduces a mechanism for comparing the state of land and groundwater at the beginning of operations and after their completion. This allows for the precise determination of business liability for pollution caused by their activities.
**Structure and Main Provisions:**
The Order consists of a regulatory part and three approved annexes: the report form, requirements for its content, and the methodology for pollution assessment. The core logic of the document is based on eight stages: from the identification of hazardous substances to the final site investigation. In comparison with previous approaches, this act implements a systematic approach to risk assessment, where the operator must not only state the current condition but also justify the absence or presence of pollution through a detailed analysis of technological processes and the geological features of the territory.
**Key Aspects for Implementation:**
* **Importance of “Relevant Substances”:** The operator must determine the list of substances that may cause pollution and justify their impact. If it is proven that there is no risk, the preparation of a report is not required.
* **Quantitative Comparison:** The main goal is to ensure the comparability of data “at the input” (obtaining the permit) and “at the output” (termination of operations). This directly affects the scope of the operator’s obligations regarding the remediation or cleanup of the site.
* **Technical Requirements:** The report must be based on data from testing laboratories that comply with ISO/IEC 17025 standards, and cartographic materials must clearly reflect the locations of potential emissions.
* **Assessment upon Closure:** In the event of the cessation of activities, the operator is obligated to submit an assessment of the pollution status, which will serve as the basis for determining their responsibilities for restoring the site to the condition recorded in the baseline report.
