Seveso establishments and ARIE companies are businesses that work with large quantities of hazardous substances.
If something goes wrong at these companies, the consequences for the health and safety of employees can be severe. These companies must therefore take specific measures to limit the risks of major accidents involving hazardous substances.
Prevention of major accidents at Seveso establishments
Seveso establishments (previously known as Brzo companies) are companies that work with large quantities of hazardous substances. If something goes wrong at these companies, there could be major consequences. These companies must therefore take specific measures to limit the risks of major accidents involving hazardous substances.
The aim of the strict rules that apply to Seveso companies is: 'The prevention of serious accidents that have a severe impact on people, the surroundings, the environment and infrastructure'. The rules, together with their attendant measures, are also intended - in the event of things going wrong - to limit the consequences of a serious accident as much as possible.
In the Netherlands Seveso establishments are held under the supervision of a number of supervisory authorities, working together in SEVESO+ (Dutch). The Netherlands Labour Authority is one of these authorities.
Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation
Companies that produce, store, or handle lower quantities of hazardous substances, but where similar risks are present as with the Seveso establishments, must adhere to similar rules to prevent major accidents. These companies are obliged to periodically carry out a so-called Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation (Dutch).
Some of the Seveso establishments are also included under the obligations of the Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation, because they also work with hazardous substances that are included in this regulation.
All companies must check for themselves whether they are included under the Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation.
Legislation
The Major Accidents (Risks) Decree 2015 was repealed on 1 January 2024 and incorporated into the new Environment and Planning Act.
The new Environment and Planning Act consolidates 26 statutes relating to the physical environment into a single act. It is further implemented through 4 Orders in Council:
- Environment and Planning Decree
- Environmental Quality Decree
- Environmental Activities Decree
- Structures (Living Environment) Decree
The contents of the Brzo 2015 are now contained in the first 3 of these Orders in Council.
Under the Environmental Activities Decree (Bal), companies are designated as 'Seveso establishments' based on the amount – and type – of hazardous substances used. If something goes wrong at these Seveso establishments, the consequences can be serious for the health and safety of employees, nearby residents and the environment. Seveso establishments must therefore assess the risks associated with working with hazardous substances and implement measures to protect people and the environment.
Where smaller quantities of hazardous substances are involved, the Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation (Dutch) scheme applies. ARIE companies also face risks to the health and safety of employees.
Environment and Planning Act: Seveso establishments
The new Environment and Planning Decrees include rules intended to ensure that any safety risks associated with working with large quantities of hazardous substances are limited as far as possible. These rules apply to companies that work with such large quantities of hazardous substances that they are designated as Seveso establishments (formerly known as Brzo companies).
Their purpose is 'to prevent major accidents with serious consequences for people, the surrounding area, the environment and infrastructure'. The rules and the ensuing measures are also intended to limit the consequences of a major accident as far as possible should one occur.
Read more about the Environment and Planning Act: Seveso establishments
ARIE scheme
Companies that handle smaller quantities of hazardous substances but where risks to the health and safety of employees nevertheless exist must periodically carry out what is known as a Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation (ARIE).
The specific ARIE rules are set out in Chapter 2, Section 2 of the Working Conditions Decree. To prevent major accidents, or to limit their consequences as far as possible, these companies are subject to rules that broadly correspond to those that apply to companies designated as Seveso establishments.