Installations for the storage and handling of substances hazardous to water, approval of expert bodies

Depending on their hazard potential, their location (above ground, underground) and their location in a protected area (water or mineral spring protection area, flood plain), installations for handling substances hazardous to water (e.g. heating oil consumer systems, petrol stations, ...) must be reported to the competent water authority and inspected by an expert body. The legal basis for this is the Plant Ordinance (VAwS).

For example, above-ground fuel oil consumer systems from a storage quantity of more than 1 m³ are also subject to recurring inspection before commissioning and in the protected area, underground heating oil consumer systems are generally subject to inspection before commissioning, recurring and during decommissioning. Installations in which other substances hazardous to water are stored are subject to staggered inspection obligations, depending on the hazard level.

The tests are carried out by expert bodies in accordance with § 22 VAwS and supervised by the competent water authorities.
Expert bodies may act in accordance with the extent to which they are approved. Approvals may be limited to certain test areas or limited in time. Approvals from other federal states are also valid in Hesse.

Authorisations of other Member States of the European Union, a Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland shall be deemed to be authorisations if their equivalence has been determined by the licensing authority and published in the State Gazette for the State of Hesse.
 

The Hessian State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology is responsible for the recognition procedure.

You can also complete the procedure electronically via the Point of Single Contact

A separate platform has been developed for online applications. On the so-called service platform you can submit your applications electronically and much more! You are welcome to get your own impression of the application in advance without registering beforehand. To do this, use the simulation. In order to make full use of the online application, you must first register with the online application process.
 

Online application procedure of the Point of Single Contact Hesse

Only expert bodies are recognised.