Direct lines of communication, quick turnaround 
10 July 2026
What is the Decision on Activities and the Living Environment?
All businesses in the Netherlands are subject to the Environmental Activities Decision (BAL). This sets out the environmental regulations that companies must comply with. Many of the requirements are further elaborated in regulations, standards, and guidelines, such as the PGS guidelines.
The BAL is part of the Environmental Code and has replaced many old regulations since that law came into effect, such as the Activities Decree. Whether you should actively apply the BAL rules or whether you need an Environmental Permit depends on the nature and scope of your activities.
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End-to-end guidance
We are here to help you think things through
External safety
When is the BAL relevant?
Everyone comes across the BAL at some point. We help you find answers to questions like:
- What should I do when starting my business?
- Which parts of the BAL apply to my company?
- When should I actively use the BAL and when are general rules sufficient?
- What is the relationship between the BAL and my environmental permit?
- How do I deal with changes in my business operations regarding the BAL?
Our approach
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01
Scope determination
We map out which activities take place at your location and which items from the BAL are applicable to them. Some businesses fall entirely under general regulations, while others require a license.
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02
Translation into your business operations
The articles in the BAL are often abstract. We translate them into concrete measures in your company: what notification should you submit, which measurement should you perform, which accounting records should you keep.
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03
Reports and administration
For many BAL activities, there is a reporting obligation instead of a permit requirement. We help with the correct reporting through the Environmental Office and ensure that your administrative procedures are in order.
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04
Combination with permits
Sometimes an Environmental Permit applies in addition to the BAL. We ensure that both are compatible and that you don't have to do double work.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this subject
What is the difference between a BAL and an environmental permit?
The BAL contains general rules that apply directly to businesses. An Environmental Permit is an individual decision that sets additional requirements for your company. Sometimes you only need the BAL (and a notification), but sometimes both the BAL and the permit are required.
Do I need to adjust my business operations due to the BAL?
That depends on what you are already doing. If you previously fell under the Activities Decree and complied with it properly, the transition to the BAL is usually limited. An update may be necessary for new or changing activities.
How do I know which environmental regulations apply to me?
Start by conducting an inventory of your activities: storage, processing, transportation, discharges, emissions. For each activity, a separate set of BAL regulations may apply. We are happy to conduct this inventory for you.
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