Are you worried about inspections? Our comprehensive environmental consultancy will help you prepare.
For each entrepreneur, a visit by inspectors from the Provincial Environmental Inspectorate (WIOŚ) is the moment of rehearsal. Environmental Inspectorate raises many questions: What does the WIOŚ check during inspections? What paperwork will be required? And most importantly. How to prepare your company for an environmental audit, so that it ends without financial consequences? This article is a practical roadmap. We will guide you through the inspection process, point out the absolutely key documents for WIOŚ control (BDO, KOBiZE, permits) and advise on how to minimise the risk of imposing severe WIOŚ penalties.
Understanding inspection: What it is WIOŚ control and what is checked?
WIOŚ control is not a punishment, but a verification of the compliance of the business with strict environmental regulations. Inspectors are experts who analyse a company's overall impact on the environment. Knowing their procedures is the first step to success.
What does the WIOŚ check during inspections? The scope of inspections is broad, but always focuses on three pillars:
- Legal correctness: Whether the environmental permits held (e.g. integrated, emissions) are up to date and fully respected.
- Reliability of records: Are records kept up to date and correctly, annual reports to the BDO (Waste Database) and reports to the KOBiZE (National Balancing and Emissions Management Organisation).
- Facts: Site visit of the technical condition of installations, waste storage facilities and environmental protection systems.
How to prepare your company for an environmental audit? Start with a detailed internal audit. Your processes and documents need to be transparent.
Compulsory list: Key documents for WIOŚ control
During inspections, your documentation is your business card. An orderly and complete file makes it much quicker and easier to environmental inspection, minimising the scope for ambiguity.
Waste Management - Compliance Foundation (BDO)
The inspector's absolute priority is to verify the correctness of waste management.
Be prepared:
- Confirmation of registration with BDO: Current registration.
Complete waste records: Reliably completed Waste Transfer Notes (WTP)
and the Waste Inventory Card (KEO). Every detail is checked and failures risk serious consequences - find out more about BDO penalties (https://ekopro-grupa.pl/baza-wiedzy/kary-bdo/).- BDO annual reports: Evidence of timely submission of reports. In case of arrears,
knowledge of the procedure is key: BDO registration after the deadline (https://ekopro-grupa.pl/baza-wiedzy/rejestracja-bdo-po-terminie/). - Contracts: Valid contracts with authorised parties for the transport, recovery and disposal of waste.
Emissions and Measurements - Clean Air (KOBiZE)
In the context of air emissions, inspectors focus on:
- Gas and dust permits: Current administrative decisions with conditions
their compliance. - KOBiZE reports: Confirmation of timely submission of annual emissions reports.
- Research findings: Reports on periodic emission measurements carried out by accredited laboratories.
Other Decisions and Settlements
In addition, be sure to prepare:
- All water permits and environmental decisions.
- Confirmation of payment environmental charges (product levies, emission charges, etc.).
Completion: WIOŚ inspection protocol and how to avoid severe WIOŚ penalties
WIOŚ control formally concludes with the drawing up and signing of WIOŚ control protocol. This is a critical moment. The protocol must be thoroughly reviewed. If you do not agree with the findings, you have the right to raise objections within 7 days. This document is the basis for possible administrative proceedings and the imposition of financial WIOŚ penalties.
The key to peace of mind and avoiding penalties:
- Systematicity: Treat environmental responsibilities as part of your daily work, not a task
„last minute”. - Audit cycle: Introduce a continuous annual cycle of internal audits of documentation and procedures.
- Expert support: Entrusting environmental supervision to an external advisor is the best method
for maintaining 100% compliance with dynamically changing legislation.
Well conducted environmental inspection demonstrates the professionalism of the company. Preparation is an investment that pays off.
