Less paperwork, more action. The government is relaxing

The government has adopted a project that changes the conditions for conducting business in waste management. The solutions are intended to improve the environment for companies and increase the efficiency of public administration. As indicated by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, this is an element of deregulatory activities facilitating the functioning of entities in this industry.

Changes in regulations

This concerns an amendment to the Environmental Protection Law and certain other acts, prepared by the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The changes will include, among others: rules for testing new techniques and innovations in installations applying for an integrated permit, as well as organizing inspections of documents related to recycling.

The key novelty is the extension of the maximum testing time for new technological solutions to 30 months. This period will be counted for installations that apply for an integrated permit and conduct tests based on relaxed environmental protection requirements. There is one condition: after completing the tests, the installation must achieve at least the level of protection resulting from the use of the so-called best available techniques (BAT).

The project emphasizes that an integrated permit is required for large industrial installations. By extending the testing time, entities implementing innovations will be able to better verify their effectiveness before switching to target solutions that meet BAT levels.

No re-inspection

The second important element is to reduce the duplication of document verification. Marshal offices will not have to again check the accuracy of documents regarding, among others, recycling of packaging waste, if these checks have already been carried out by other authorized bodies. This is intended to streamline the work of the administration and shorten the time entrepreneurs wait for decisions.

The project also provides for an additional six months to conduct business based on existing waste management decisions. The extension applies to companies whose adjustment proceedings have not yet been completed. This will give entrepreneurs time to complete procedures without the risk of business interruption.

According to the announcement of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the new solutions are to enter into force on December 1, 2025. The package of changes combines facilitations for business with the requirement to maintain environmental protection standards at the level of the best available techniques.