Businesses have to deal with the environment. The Establishments and activities Decree BES (IAB BES) and the Ministrial regulation establishments and activities BES (RIA BES) lays down environmental rules for all businesses in the Caribbean Netherlands.

Competent authority

The competent authority is the administrative body that receives notifications, processes permit applications and is responsible for supervision and enforcement.

For most companies, the Executive Council is the competent authority. For a small number of companies that have greater security risks (e.g. oil and gas storage above a certain quantity), the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management is the competent authority.

In article 1.3 of the IAB BES designates for which type of company the Executive Council or the Minister is the competent authority:

  • type 1, type 2 and type 3: the Executive Council
  • type 4: Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management

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