Permit management for safe plants and stable production

As early as the planning phase, we review the permitting status of the planned, existing, or proposed-for-modification facility. We determine which permitting requirements apply, what documentation is needed, and which risks should be addressed early on. Together with you, we coordinate the next steps toward obtaining approval.

This includes:

• Initial permit review of existing facilities
• Assessment of the permitting status for new construction, renovation, expansion, or decommissioning
• Evaluation of permitting risks
• Technical advice on the next steps
• Analysis of required measurements, expert reports, and forecasts
• Advice on relevant legal requirements
• Support with early coordination with permitting authorities

For a permitting process, technical, legal, and organizational information must be prepared in a complete and transparent manner. Infraserv Höchst supports you in the technical preparation and compilation of the permit application documents.

This includes:

• technical permitting advice regarding the application
• preparation and compilation of permit application documents
• procurement of relevant documents, supporting evidence, and specialist reports
• coordination of expert opinions and statements
• review of application documents for completeness and plausibility
• coordination of the documents with the relevant specialist departments

Throughout the approval process, we guide the procedure, keep track of deadlines, and provide support in the event of inquiries, additional requests, and coordination. The goal is a clearly managed process that avoids delays and addresses the requirements of the involved agencies early on.

These includes:

• Management of the permitting process
• Communication with permitting authorities and relevant agencies
• Preparation for and participation in meetings with authorities and site inspections
• Support during public hearings
• Review of official decisions and ancillary provisions
• Technical support in appeal or litigation proceedings, as necessary and in consultation with legal counsel

Once approval is granted, the actual implementation at the plant begins. Here, too, Infraserv Höchst provides support in ensuring compliance with requirements and identifying changes in a timely manner.

These include:

• Permit Review of Existing Facilities
• Review of the permit status in light of existing or anticipated regulatory changes
• Monitoring of legal changes and advice on their implementation
• Monitoring of conditions, ancillary provisions, and deadlines
• Support with measurement, documentation, and reporting requirements
• Preparation for and conduct of meetings with regulatory authorities and on-site inspections
• Assistance with the implementation of approved measures
• Support for facility operation in compliance with permits
• Provision of operations officers in an advisory capacity

Even after a facility has been commissioned, new permitting issues may arise—for example, in the event of technical modifications, expansions, changes in use, or decommissioning. Infraserv Höchst determines whether notifications or permits are required and guides you through the next steps.

This includes:

• Review of changes pursuant to Section 15 or Section 16 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG)
• Preparation of notifications or change permits
• Consulting on conversions, expansions, or changes in use
• Review of permitting requirements for decommissioning
• Coordination of necessary steps with relevant departments and authorities
• Documentation of the necessary steps

If needed, Infraserv Höchst also provides operations representatives who serve in an advisory capacity. They support your internal managers in day-to-day plant operations or assume specific representative roles. This allows for closer integration of permit management, operational safety, environmental protection, and compliance.

A permit may be required when a facility is newly constructed, operated, substantially modified, or decommissioned. The primary legal basis for this is the Federal Immission Control Act and the 4th BImSchV. Renovations, expansions, or technical modifications may also be subject to permit requirements or notification obligations. Infraserv Höchst reviews the requirements and supports the permitting process from the initial assessment through implementation.

If permits are missing or requirements are not met, this can have significant consequences: delays, construction halts, operating bans, fines, and liability risks. Professional permit management helps identify these risks early on and manage projects in compliance with the law.

This offers clear advantages for companies:

• Securing investments: Permitting requirements are reviewed early on. This helps prevent planning errors, delays, and unnecessary costs.
• Ensuring production: Notifications and change approvals are prepared in a timely manner so that plant projects do not come to a standstill.
• Strengthening compliance: Permits include conditions, limits, monitoring requirements, and documentation requirements. Systematic monitoring helps ensure that operations remain in compliance with permit requirements over the long term..
• Conserving resources: Clear processes, complete documentation, and structured communication with government agencies reduce the workload on internal teams.
• Improving decision-making: Risks relevant to approvals are assessed early on and can be incorporated into planning, the budget, and the schedule.

Permit procedures are complex. Companies must clarify technical, legal, and organizational requirements early on and document them thoroughly. Depending on the facility, a permit application includes, among other things, information on:

• Process engineering and plant safety
• Air pollution control, emissions and immissions
• Noise control and sound assessments
• Water protection, AwSV and wastewater
• Waste management
• Fire protection
• Environmental impact assessments
• Other plant-specific requirements

Effective permit management ensures that all documentation is complete, consistent, and submitted on time. This significantly reduces the number of follow-up inquiries, additional requests, and delays in the process.

Infraserv Höchst's services are aimed at companies that:

• want to plan or construct new facilities
• want to renovate, expand, or significantly modify existing facilities
• need to review, update, or secure permits
• want to avoid risks arising from outdated, incomplete, or unclear permit status
• want to manage permitting processes more efficiently and in compliance with the law

Infraserv Höchst helps you manage permitting processes in a safe, efficient, and predictable manner. Our experts review requirements early on, coordinate documentation and expert reports, facilitate communication with regulatory agencies, and help reduce risks associated with plant operations.

Your benefits:

• greater investment security
• better predictability for projects and the start of production
• less risk due to incomplete or outdated permits
• a structured application process and complete documentation
• experienced support during permitting procedures, operation, modifications, and decommissioning
• practical advice based on our own experience as plant operators