Introduction of the Dutch Environment and Planning Act 2024

25 Mar

01 January 2024 saw the introduction of a new act in Dutch environmental legislation. The new Omgevingswet (or Dutch Environment and Planning Act in English) affects any companies in the Netherlands looking to build, expand upon buildings, purchase sites or in any way change anything relating to the physical environment.

What could it mean for you?

It’s probably going to be a good thing for your company. The new Omgevingswet is intended to simplify planning application processes, uniting dozens of existing laws. It should speed up your application process for things like renovations, building demolition, soil activities, tree work and more, all of which can be applied for via the planning application portal in the Netherlands, the Omgevingsloket Online.

If your company is involved in shipping or port activities in the Netherlands, your permit processes might have changed too. Rotterdam Port, for example, has a whole article on the new act and changes to its permit-granting policies. You can find that here.

Where can I find more information?

There is limited information available on the Dutch government website for businesses here: business.gov.nl

You can also find a full translation of the Act here.

I need a translator for my application procedure…

Are you making an application via the OLO online portal? The chances are, most of the communication you’ll receive about your planning application and the Omgevingswet from the Dutch authorities will be in Dutch. And that’s okay – because you’ve found me. I have plenty of experience in translating in this field and have been working on various all-in-one permits for years. I take the Dutch decisions, letters of notification, information about your refusal or acceptance, and all the additional documentation, and I return it to you in easily understandable English (phew).