Environmental Services

Certain changes to industrial facilities that could affect the environment must be reported to the relevant authority under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). This applies when you modify the location, design, or operation of a facility that already holds an emissions permit, and the change could impact protected interests such as air quality, noise levels, or water.You must file a written notification with the competent state authority at least one month before the planned change. The authority then has one month to determine whether the modification requires a full permit or can proceed under the simplified notification procedure. If no response comes within that period, you may proceed with the change.

Issued by: Lower Environmental Authority / Immission Control Authority

Businesses that discharge wastewater into rivers, lakes, or groundwater (Direkteinleiter) or into the public sewer system with elevated pollutant levels (Indirekteinleiter) need a wastewater discharge permit (Einleitungsgenehmigung) under the Federal Water Resources Act (WHG). This applies to manufacturing, food processing, chemical plants, metalworking, and other industries whose wastewater exceeds normal domestic standards.Direct dischargers apply for a water law permit at the state water authority. Indirect dischargers apply at the lower water authority of the district or municipality. The application must describe the type and quantity of wastewater, pollutant concentrations, and treatment measures. Discharge limits are set according to the Wastewater Ordinance (AbwV) and must meet the current state of technology. Permits are typically time-limited and may include monitoring and reporting obligations.

Issued by: Lower Water Authority / Municipal Drainage Authority

If your business activity involves interventions in nature and landscape that conflict with conservation rules (for example, removing trees, building near protected biotopes, or disturbing protected species), you need an exemption permit under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG). This applies to construction projects, land clearing, and other activities in or near protected areas.You apply at the lower nature conservation authority (untere Naturschutzbehörde) of your district or city. Your application must describe the planned intervention in detail, usually supported by site plans and expert assessments. The authority evaluates whether the intervention can be avoided or minimized and sets compensation measures such as replanting or habitat creation. Early consultation with the authority is recommended.

Issued by: Lower Nature Conservation Authority

Anyone operating a water supply facility that provides drinking water to the public or to a commercial establishment (including private wells, small waterworks, and building-internal systems) must notify the competent health authority (Gesundheitsamt). Notification must be made at least four weeks before commissioning, and cessation of operations must be reported within three days.Under the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), your facility is subject to regular water quality monitoring. You must have the water tested at certified laboratories for microbiological, chemical, and physical parameters at intervals determined by the health authority, typically at least annually. The health authority conducts on-site inspections and may impose additional testing requirements based on local conditions. Fees apply for the official monitoring.

Issued by: Public Health Authority

Businesses that use water bodies (extracting groundwater, discharging wastewater, damming or diverting surface water, or using geothermal energy from groundwater) need a water usage permit (wasserrechtliche Erlaubnis) under the Federal Water Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz, WHG). This particularly affects manufacturers, car washes, breweries, and construction firms that need to dewater excavation sites.You apply at the lower water authority (untere Wasserbehörde), typically at the district administration. The authority assesses the impact of your water use on the water body, ecosystems, and other users. An enhanced permit (gehobene Erlaubnis) may be issued if there is a public interest or a justified need. The standard permit can be revoked, while the enhanced version offers greater legal certainty. Permits are usually time-limited.

Issued by: Lower Water Authority

Since October 2025, the new Battery Law (BattDG) implements EU Regulation 2023/1542 and replaces the old BattG. Manufacturers and importers of batteries must register with Stiftung EAR (Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register) before placing products on the German market. The regulation now distinguishes five battery categories: portable, LMT (light means of transport), SLI (starting, lighting, ignition), industrial, and electric vehicle batteries.Registration requires reporting battery chemistry, capacity, and expected annual volumes. You must also join a take-back system for your battery category. The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) oversees compliance, and non-registration can result in a sales ban.

Issued by: Federal Environment Agency (UBA)

Manufacturers and importers who place electrical or electronic equipment on the German market must register with the Stiftung EAR (Elektro-Altgeräte Register) before the first product is sold. This obligation comes from the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), which implements the EU WEEE Directive. The registration covers all brands and equipment categories and results in a WEEE registration number that must be displayed on invoices and product listings.You apply online through the Stiftung EAR portal. For products sold to private households (B2C), you must also provide an insolvency-proof financial guarantee ensuring proper disposal of waste equipment. Processing times can be several months. Once registered, you have ongoing reporting obligations for quantities placed on the market and must participate in collection and recycling schemes. Selling unregistered products can result in fines and sales bans.

Issued by: Foundation for the Registration of Waste Electrical Equipment (EAR)

If you first place goods-filled packaging on the German market (as an Erstinverkehrbringer), you must register in the LUCID packaging register before any packaging reaches consumers. This applies to manufacturers, importers, and online sellers shipping goods to Germany. The obligation stems from the Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz).Registration is done online at the Central Agency Packaging Register Foundation (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister, ZSVR). You must also participate in a dual system (such as Der Grüne Punkt) by signing a license agreement and reporting your packaging volumes. Your LUCID registration is publicly searchable, so marketplace platforms and competitors can verify your compliance. Failure to register can result in a sales ban and fines up to 200,000 EUR.

Issued by: Central Agency Packaging Register Foundation

Anyone commercially collecting or transporting waste must file a notification (non-hazardous waste, § 53 KrWG) or obtain a permit (hazardous waste, § 54 KrWG). The competent authority is typically the Regierungspräsidium or equivalent state-level body, not the lower waste authority. For hazardous waste transport, the permit requires proof of professional competence (Fachkunde), personal reliability, and adequate insurance coverage.The notification for non-hazardous waste is simpler but still mandatory before commencing operations. Both notification and permit holders must use the electronic waste tracking system (eANV) for hazardous waste consignments. The permit is generally valid nationwide once issued by one state authority.

Issued by: Competent State Authority (Regional Council)

Setting up and operating a waste treatment or disposal facility in Germany requires a permit under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). This covers recycling plants, composting facilities, waste incineration plants, landfills, and waste storage sites. The specific permit procedure depends on the facility type and capacity, as defined in the Fourth BImSchG Ordinance (4. BImSchV).Larger facilities undergo a full permit procedure with public participation under Section 10 BImSchG, including public notice, document inspection, and an opportunity for objections. Smaller facilities may qualify for a simplified procedure under Section 19 BImSchG without public participation. The application requires environmental impact assessments, emissions data, waste management plans, and fire protection concepts. The competent authority is typically the district government (Bezirksregierung) or state environmental agency.

Issued by: Waste Management Authority

Facilities that may cause significant environmental effects (noise, air pollution, vibration, odors) require a permit under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) before construction or operation. The types of facilities requiring this permit are listed in the 4th BImSchV and include industrial plants, power stations, waste treatment facilities, and certain agricultural operations.The competent state authority (typically the district government or environmental agency) reviews your application for compliance with emission limits, safety standards, and environmental protection requirements. There are two procedures: a formal process under Section 10 (with public participation, decision within seven months) and a simplified process under Section 19 (without public participation, decision within three months).

Issued by: Emission Control Authority

Commercial pest control operators who use biocidal products must hold a competence certificate (Sachkundenachweis). This is required under the Chemicals Prohibition Ordinance (ChemVerbotsV) and applies to anyone professionally applying rodenticides, insecticides, or other biocides for pest control purposes.You obtain the certificate by passing the competence examination at the competent state authority, typically the trade supervisory office (Gewerbeaufsichtsamt). The exam covers toxicology, safe handling of hazardous substances, and species identification. Additional requirements under the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (Gefahrstoffverordnung) apply for specialized activities such as fumigation or wood preservation. A recognized vocational qualification as a certified pest controller (Geprüfter Schädlingsbekämpfer, IHK) covers the competence requirement.

Issued by: Competent State Authority / Trade Office