How to get recognition for asbestos removal

If you want to demolish or remove asbestos, you must apply for recognition from the Flemish government.
How do you apply for such recognition and how long does such a procedure take?

1. What are the conditions?
2. What is the recognition procedure?
3. Is there supervision and what sanctions exist?

This news article is a summary of the legislation. Do you want to reread the full legislation? Read it here.

What conditions must you meet?

• Proof of application of a quality assurance system according to the Belac guideline 2-405
• Being able to carry out the demolition and removal work technically and organisationally
• Companies / sole proprietorships (without employees):
  • Only deploy employees who have completed the basic training (32h) with annual refresher training (8h)
  • For the hermetically sealed zone: have in service / be able to make available at least three employees who have followed the basic training (32h) with annual refresher training (8h). At least 1 employee must be trained as a site manager.

  How does the recognition procedure work?

  1. Send the application by registered letter to the leading official HUA (HUA: Humanisation of Labour of the Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue).
  2. The application states the types of techniques for the demolition and removal work. The documents below must be attached:
     • copy of the company's articles of association
     • copy of the quality assurance system (of the certificate in book V title 4-4, 2°)
     • copy of the note containing the information and instructions of book V title 1.3-36
     • address of the fixed location
  3. The general directorate HUA checks whether the file is complete. If the application is incomplete, the directorate indicates within 30 days which documents are missing
  4. If the file is complete, it goes to the general directorate TWW (General Directorate Supervision of Well-being at Work)
  5. The TWW directorate checks whether the technical and organisational competences of the application correspond to the submitted file. A report of this examination is drawn up within 60 days (after receipt of the file).
  6. The applicant grants free access to their premises to the officials carrying out the examination. The applicant makes available all data and documents necessary for the recognition.
  7. The general directorate issues an opinion within 30 days of receiving the examination report.
  8. In case of a negative opinion (refusal of recognition), the applicant has 30 days to lodge an objection against this decision.
  9. The first recognition is granted for two years
  10. Every application for renewal of the recognition is submitted at the latest three months before the expiry of the current recognition.
  11. The renewal of the recognition is granted for a maximum period of 5 years.

  Supervision and sanctions

  • When it is established that the recognised company does not meet one of the conditions or obligations, the official may set a period within which the company must comply.
  • When is the recognition withdrawn?
    • when the conditions are not complied with
    • when the company carries out work for which it is not recognised
    • when certain documents, supporting documents and information have been changed without notifying the HUA directorate
    • when the provisions of book VI, title 3-1 to book VI, title 3.69 and book X, title 2-16, 1° are not complied with

    Asbestos training at Praxis

    Need an asbestos course? Praxis is happy to arrange this for you:

    • Asbestos training simple handling (8h)
    • Asbestos removal course 32h
    • Asbestos exposure
    • Asbestos annual refresher training

    12/11/2019