Environmental permits

According to Finland''s environmental protection legislation, permits are needed for all activities involving the risk of pollution of the air and water or contaminating the soil. One important condition for permits is that emissions are limited to the levels obtainable by using Best Available Techniques (BAT).

Applications must be made in writing to the relevant authority, as defined in the Environmental Protection Decree. The authority will then make the application public as appropriate, giving the relevant authorities and anyone affected by the plans time to comment and make proposals concerning the requirements for the permit. Complaints against permit decisions may be made to the Administrative Court of Vaasa, then to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Fees are payable for the processing of applications.

Diagram of the permit procedure