Recognition as a type 1 or type 2 soil remediation expert

A soil remediation expert is an independent expert recognised by the senior civil servant of the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (Openbare Vlaamse Afvalstoffenmaatschappij/OVAM). There are two types of soil remediation experts:

Type 1 recognised soil remediation experts are recognised to carry out exploratory soil investigations and prepare reports in the context of earthworks.
Type 2 recognised soil remediation experts may perform all the tasks assigned to soil remediation experts under the Soil Decree (and its implementing orders).

Consult the list of soil remediation experts (in Dutch)(opens in new window) on the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) website.

Conditions

To be recognised as a soil remediation expert, you must meet certain conditions. These conditions are described in Articles 25/1 and 25/2 of the VLAREL and pertain, inter alia, to:

degrees
knowledge of the Soil Decree, its implementing orders, or other Flemish legislation
additional training for soil remediation experts
number of years of professional experience.

More information on the recognition conditions is available on OVAM’s website.

Procedure

You must submit your file and the application form to OVAM.

OVAM examines whether the application and file are admissible and complete.

If the file is complete and admissible, it will be further assessed on its merits. OVAM will then make a decision within 90 days of submitting the complete file.

Legislation

Soil Decree of 27 October 2006 on soil remediation and soil protection
Government of Flanders Order of 14 December 2007 establishing the Flemish regulation on soil remediation and soil protection (Vlarebo)
Government of Flanders Order of 19 November 2010 establishing the Flemish regulation on environmental recognitions (VLAREL)