Are you facing a WIOŚ inspection? What this entity checks, on what principles it operates and how to prepare for the inspectors' visit, you will find out in this article. The Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) is the cornerstone of effective enforcement of environmental regulations in Poland. Its main role is to carry out scheduled and unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance with legal standards for the protection of life, human health and the environment.
WIOŚ inspection - what does it check?
The legal basis under which a company's environmental inspection may be carried out is ACT of 20 July 1991 on Environmental Protection Inspection. In accordance with this act, these actions include both compliance with general environmental legislation and specific requirements, such as compliance with the conditions for the use of the environment set out in decisions administration, regularly measuring emissions and assessing their impact on the environment.
The company's environmental inspection focuses on several areas, which include checking the sulphur content of heavy fuel oil and inland marine engine oil, which is important for reducing air pollution. The Environmental Inspectorate - what does it check in addition to this? Compliance with regulations on the operation of environmental equipment to prevent pollution is also checked. Another important element that the Environmental Protection Inspection monitors is waste management and recycling, including compliance with regulations on packaging waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment and end-of-life vehicles.
The Environmental Inspectorate's control verifies the application of regulations on particularly harmful substances, such as ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases. Industrial installations using GMOs and the rules on the handling of waste from such activities are also inspected. The inspection is not only limited to aspects of pollution and waste management, but also covers a range of activities related to the assessment of the state of the environment, such as state environmental monitoring, which is the foundation for the development and implementation of strategic environmental protection programmes.
All these activities that environmental control undertakes, are not only important for the protection of public health and the environment, but also contribute to compliance with international obligations Polish.
What checks can be carried out on the company?
The Environmental Inspectorate has a function in maintaining compliance with environmental legislation, by carrying out both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. Planned inspections shall be organised in accordance with a planned timetable which takes account of the need to systematically assess the risks to life, human health and the environment. They are set out in the control plans, which allows for the effective management of the risks arising from the activities of entities using the environment. Non-planned controls, on the other hand, include activities undertaken at the request of public administration bodies or authorised entities, as well as intervention controls. Intervention controls are initiated in response to complaints or interventions concerning environmental pollution, serious accidents, or in situations where a crime or offence is suspected. Environmental controls are supervised by the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection and provincial inspectors.
What powers does the WIOŚ have?
Inspectors of the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) have a range of powers that enable them to effectively enforce the rules, which include environmental protection. The powers of inspectors include:
- have the right to enter property, facilities or means of transport related or unrelated to the business, at any time of the day or night, equipped with the necessary equipment,
- may carry out the necessary measurements and tests, including sampling and the use of drones, to assess the state of the environment and the conditions of the activity,
- have the power to require the cessation of operations or of the operation of installations and equipment, including means of transport, if this is necessary to carry out tests or measurements,
- may assess the way the installation or equipment is operated, the technologies used and the technical solutions,
- have the right to request written or oral information, to summon and question persons in order to establish facts, while informing them of the criminal liability for giving false testimony,
- may request the production of any documents, including financial documents, which are relevant to the activity being audited,
- have the power to impose fines by means of a fine and to request documents necessary for the imposition of a penalty.
These powers ensure that inspections can effectively monitor and enforce compliance with environmental legislation, having a decisive influence on the maintenance of appropriate ecological standards.
How to prepare for a WIOŚ inspection?
Preparing for an inspection by the Provincial Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) requires careful planning and an understanding of applicable environmental regulations. Ensure that all documentation related to the company's activities, including permits, registrations, environmental reports and measurement results, is up-to-date and readily available. It is also important to conduct regular internal audits to help identify and correct any deficiencies before inspectors visit. Training employees on applicable environmental standards and procedures is important to ensure they are aware of and cooperative during inspections. In addition, it is worth investing in technologies and systems that monitor and control the environmental impact of activities, which not only makes it easier to maintain compliance, but also raises the company's environmental standards. Preparing for an inspection by the Inspectorate of Environmental Protection is an ongoing process that requires commitment at all levels of the organisation. For many companies, adequate environmental protection is one of the most important activities. An inspection in such a situation should run as smoothly as possible. If your company is also facing a visit from inspectors, check out the following environmental consulting proposed by the EKOPRO Group.
Environmental services will help you prepare for and pass a WIOŚ inspection.
It is also worth reading the text of the Environmental Inspection Act (EIA) in order to be fully aware of the powers and scope of action of inspectors. Understanding the legislation allows entrepreneurs to better prepare for inspections and to consciously manage the environmental aspects of their business. The law defines precisely what powers inspectors have during inspections, including the right to enter the company's premises, carry out measurements and tests, and request documents and information.
