Rules for demolition or asbestos removal

Are you planning to carry out demolition activities or remove asbestos in the Netherlands? You must comply with the rules set out in the Environment and Planning Act. You must submit a demolition notification and inform your local authority.

Notification and information duty for demolition work

Are you going to do demolition work or have demolition work done? You must submit a demolition notification and inform your local authority if:

• you remove asbestos, or
• you have more than 10 m3 demolition waste

If you demolish more buildings on the same site, you must add up the total amount of waste.

There are some exceptions to the Notification and information duty (in Dutch). For example in case of a situation-specific regulation.

Submit a demolition notification

You must submit a demolition notification through the Environment and Planning Portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch) at least 4 weeks before the start of the demolition work. An exception may apply to the removal of asbestos (in Dutch).

Submit mandatory information

You must inform your local authority via the Omgevingsloket about the start and end of the demolition work (in Dutch). You must report the start at least 2 working days before the demolition work begins. You report the end of the work no later than the first working day after it has been completed.

You must also provide information on, for example, health and safety, and nitrogen levels during demolition. You must do so when you submit your demolition notification.

If you remove risk class 2 or 2a asbestos, you must register the required information in the National Asbestos Monitoring System (Landelijk Asbestvolgsysteem, LAVS, in Dutch).

Demolishing monuments

Are you planning to demolish a protected monument? Then you also need to apply for an environment and planning permit via the Omgevingsloket (in Dutch). You must also submit a demolition notification and the mandatory information.

Checking for asbestos

Do you want to demolish or renovate a building built before 1994? Before you begin demolition or renovation, you must carry out an asbestos inventory (asbestinventarisatie, in Dutch). The Asbestos Guide shows where you can find asbestos in and around buildings (in Dutch).

The asbestos inventory must be carried out by a certified company. Companies with a valid certificate for asbestos inventory are listed in the Ascert Asbestos certificate register (in Dutch).

The asbestos inventory shows whether asbestos is present and the risk class of asbestos removal. The inventory report must always be available on location.

Removing asbestos

Do you intend to demolish or renovate a building containing asbestos? You must ensure that the asbestos is removed safely. The rules depend on the risk class.

Risk class 1

If the removal work is low risk (class 1), a non-certified company may remove the asbestos. However, their employees must be trained to remove asbestos safely (in Dutch). You must take measures to minimise the release of asbestos fibres into the air during the work.

You report the removal of asbestos via the Omgevingsloket (in Dutch):

1. You must submit a demolition notification at least 4 weeks before the start of the removal work. In some situations, you may report at shorter notice (in Dutch).
2. You must notify the start date at least 2 working days before starting the asbestos removal.
3. You must notify the end date no later than 1 working day after finishing the removal.

The company carrying out the work must notify the asbestos removal at least 2 days before starting demolition work to the Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie, NLA, in Dutch). You need authorisation and eHerkenning level 3 to login to the portal where you can complete the form.

Risk class 2 or 2a

If the removal work is high risk (class 2 or 2a), a certified asbestos removal company must remove the asbestos. A certified Expert Asbestos Removal Supervisor (Deskundig Toezichthouder Asbestverwijdering, DTA) must supervise the asbestos removal.

As a certified asbestos removal company you must take measures to minimise the release of asbestos fibres into the air during the work. You must also draw up a work plan and cordon off the work area. Once the asbestos has been removed, you must have a final assessment carried out.

As a certified asbestos removal company you must register your activities in the National Asbestos Monitoring System (Landelijk Asbestvolgsysteem, LAVS, in Dutch). In the LAVS you must also register:

1. the start date (at least 2 working days before starting the asbestos removal)
2. the end date (no later than 1 working day after finishing the removal)
3. the proof of the disposal of the asbestos waste (no later than 2 weeks after the final assessment)

You must also submit a demolition notification via the Omgevingsloket at least 4 weeks before the start of the removal work (in Dutch).

Rules for demolition

During demolishing, you must comply with the rules on carrying out demolition work (in Dutch) as set out in the Decree on construction works in the living environment (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, Bbl) (in Dutch). These rules relate to:

• protecting health and safety in the immediate environment of the demolition site
• minimising disruption by noise, dust, and vibrations
• reducing nitrogen emissions
• separating hazardous and non-hazardous waste and its disposal

You must appoint a safety coordinator. Information about the demolition works must be available at the demolition site, such as the demolition notification, the demolition safety plan, and the asbestos inventory report (in Dutch).

Storing and transporting asbestos

After removing the asbestos, you must dispose of it at a landfill (dumping) site as soon as possible. Will you store the asbestos before disposing of it? Then you must comply with the rules for the storage of asbestos at asbestos removal companies (in Dutch). For example, you must pack the asbestos in airtight, double-layered packaging. If you store more than 50 tonnes of waste containing asbestos, you must have an environment and planning permit.

If you transport asbestos, you must comply with the rules for the transport of dangerous goods. Do you run an installation business or a painting firm and do you transport asbestos waste in a van (driving licence category B)? In that case, an accompanying letter is not required.

Protect your employees from asbestos exposure

If your employees work with asbestos, you must comply with the health and safety rules for working with hazardous substances. You must take precautions to protect your employees from asbestos-related illnesses (in Dutch). These precautions include:

• You must add the risk of asbestos exposure to your Risk Assessment and Evaluation (RI&E) report.
• You must offer employees who work with asbestos a medical examination at least once every 3 years.
• You must fully inform your employees about the dangers of exposure to asbestos and safe working methods.

Are you being held accountable by an employee or former employee who has contracted an asbestos related illness? You might be liable for damages. The Institute for Asbestos Victims (Instituut Asbestslachtoffers) can help mediate between you and your employee or former employee (in Dutch).

Monitoring by the Netherlands Labour Authority

The Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie, NLA) strictly monitors the rules for working with asbestos. If you do not follow the rules, you may face a heavy fine. Has your business committed a serious asbestos offence? Then the NLA will publish your business’s details in the list of asbestos offenders (in Dutch).