The basic Law on the environment prescribes authorizations for the construction, extension, installation and operation of any establishments in which polluting activities are performed. To enforce this Law properly, the entities responsible for conducting statutory tests, appraisals or inspections, in order to assess the issuing of authorizations, must be empowered by the administration, and procedures for issuing their approval must be specifically defined. This is the purpose of this Decree which governs the accredited entities, laying down the criteria for recognising their status, and establishing the procedure for their approval. An approved entity is a legal person, duly approved and registered, equipped with the necessary technical and human resources to perform its functions under this Decree. Depending upon the areas of competence, it may operate in the fields of water, air, waste or noise. The approval is granted to entities by ministerial decision after investigations have been conducted into their facilities, qualifications, independence and impartiality. Such enterprises have the power to: issue opinions on projects for installations or for modifying industrial establishments; ascertaining conformity with technical pollution control standards; drafting new technical standards for measuring pollution levels; evaluating the effectiveness of technical solutions for pollution control; regularly inspecting the operation of industrial establishments; carrying out environmental quality surveys, etc.
Decree-Law No. 259/92 governing entities empowered to act in the field of the environment.