Reporting unusual occurrences

Within the municipality of Kerkrade, you as a business owner are responsible for reporting unusual occurrences.

  • Direct reporting for businesses: 045 567 66 00
  • Report for citizens: 14 045

What is an unusual occurrence?

An unusual occurrence is any event (regardless of the cause) that deviates from normal business activities, causing or threatening to cause adverse effects on the environment. This can include both failures in the production process and failures in the facilities of the establishment. It may also include accidents and calamities.

Any unusual incident should be reported to the municipality within half an hour because the government is responsible for a safe and healthy living environment. Depending on the severity of the situation, the municipality may take immediate action.

What to do.

If an unusual occurrence occurs or threatens to occur on your farm you must:

  • Take measures to prevent or undo adverse effects on the environment as far as possible;
  • Report the incident by telephone as soon as possible (within half an hour) via the municipality's designated telephone number (045) 567 66 00. This can be done 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

You must then provide further information (in writing) to the municipality of Kerkrade on a number of points.

Reporting in writing

According to the Environmental Management Act, you must provide information on at least the following five points:

  1. causes and circumstances;
  2. released substances and their properties;
  3. other important matters that may affect the nature and severity of the consequences;
  4. avoidance measures;
  5. measures for prevention in the future.

What if you fail to report or report late?

If you fail to report an unusual occurrence to the competent authority or report it too late, this is considered a violation of the Environmental Management Act.
This may result in criminal and/or administrative action.

Further information

For further information, please contact the Municipality of Kerkrade, available at the general telephone number 14 045 or e-mail gemeentehuis@kerkrade.nl