Editorial note

Recommendation 2001/331 of 4 April 2001 provides minimum criteria for environmental inspection in the Member States. The Recommendation recognises the role that inspection plays in strengthening compliance with and contributing to the implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation (Article I). The Recommendation applies to environmental inspections of all industrial installations and other enterprises and facilities whose emissions/discharges are subject to authorisation, permit or licensing requirements (Article II). Member States are to ensure that environmental inspections are carried out to achieve a high level of environmental protection (Article III). Environmental inspections activities should be planned in advance (Article IV). The Recommendations set out the criteria to be applied to site visits (Article V). Reports and conclusions are to be processed or stored by the inspecting authorities after each site visit; such reports should be properly recorded and maintained in a readily accessible database (Article VI). Member States are to ensure that the relevant authority carries out investigation of serious accidents, incidents and occurrences of non-compliance with EC legislation (Article VII). Member States are required to report to the Commission on their experience on the operation of the Recommendation two years after its entry into force (Article VIII) and the Commission should review the operation and effectiveness of the Recommendation (Article IX).

Source: OJ L 118 27.04.2001 p. 41

Recommendation 2001/331/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 April 2001 providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the Member States