Over 1,000 applications benefit from simplified environmental permits for industrial facilities: MOECC

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) revealed impressive outcomes from its initiative to streamline environmental permits for industrial facilities since its inception in February 2025. This initiative has facilitated over 1,000 applications via simplified pathways, bypassing conventional environmental permitting procedures.

Approximately 90% of these applications, 900 out of 1,000, benefited from these simplified routes, compared to only 10% that required the standard process. This indicates a significant shift in the permitting system, making it more efficient and adaptable to the scale and potential environmental impact of each activity.

Under the initiative, 861 industrial activities were granted licenses directly, representing 66% of all activities, based on pre-defined environmental requirements. Additionally, 257 activities, 20% of the total, were exempted from permits altogether. The remaining 182 activities, 14% of the total, still required a prior environmental permit.

This approach has led to a significant decrease in the overall number of procedures and steps required from investors, reducing the investor journey from seven main procedures to just three, a reduction of nearly 60%. Consequently, the average time to complete orders has dropped from about 15 working days to just 3, an 80% improvement.

The initiative has not only simplified procedures but also reduced administrative costs and time spent on business processes. Preliminary estimates show that the initiative has generated over 24,000 working days for companies and investors, and more than 2,500 inspection and monitoring visits have been conducted at various facilities and sites.

Ultimately, this initiative reflects a fundamental shift in environmental permitting philosophy, from a model reliant on prior approvals to a more flexible and efficient system based on activity nature and environmental impact.