Recognition as environmental expert in noise and vibrations

To be recognised as an ‘environmental expert in noise and vibrations’, you must fulfil:

• general recognition conditions(opens in new window) that apply to recognitions relating to the environment
  • in the 3 years that precede the application for the Flemish recognition certificate, the applicant has not been convicted of a criminal offence in a member state of the European Economic Area, for infringements of the environmental legislation concerning the use of the recognition.
  • in the 2 years that precede the application for the Flemish recognition certificate, no recognition with the same object was revoked due to infringement of the obligations associated with that recognition.
• special recognition conditions:
  • be a natural person
  • having obtained at least a master’s or equivalent degree
    • having at least 3 years’ practical experience in contracts in the field of the recognition, obtained within the 5 years preceding the application for recognition
  • having obtained at least a bachelor’s or equivalent degree
    • having at least 5 years’ practical experience in the field of the recognition, obtained within the 7 years preceding the application for recognition
  • having successfully completed a training course in which the subjects listed in annex 9 of the VLAREL (in Dutch)(opens in new window) are covered.

Validity period and obligations

The recognition is valid for an indefinite period. As a recognised ‘environmental expert in noise and vibrations’, you must meet the following obligations among others to retain your recognition:

• each year, undergo refresher training of at least 8 hours on the most recent developments and legislation on noise and vibrations for which you are recognised (noise and/or vibrations)
• hold insurance for third-party liability, including professional liability, in connection with the use of the recognition
• pay the annual fee (in Dutch). The first payment is to be made in the year following the year in which you obtained the recognition. Failure to pay the annual fee will lead to automatic suspension of the recognition following a formal notice of default. If the fee is not paid within 30 days of the suspension, the recognition will automatically lapse.

More info on the obligations for recognised environmental experts (in Dutch) can be found on the Department of Environment and Spatial Development website.

Request your recognition from the Department of Environment and Spatial Development of the Flemish administration.

• Download the application form (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window) from the Department of Environment and Spatial Development website and fill it in.
• Transfer the one-off fee to Account No. BE40 3751 1110 2263 stating ‘OMG-A-MDGT + your first and last name.
• Submit all the documents to the Flemish administration.
  • Submit your application and receipt via the online recognition desk of the Department of Environment and Spatial Development(opens in new window) (click on “Ga naar het erkenningenloket”; log in with eID or eIDAS).
  • If you do not have a Belgian eID,
    • you can log in at the online recognition desk with eIDAS if your country is connected through eIDAS;
    • or you can submit your application by registered letter to Departement Omgeving, Koning Albert II-laan 15/bus 551, 1210 Brussel, to the attention of Team Expertise, Afdeling GOP.
• The competent unit handles your application and consults a number of bodies for an opinion. If necessary, additional info will be collected and a hearing organised. The leading official of the Department of Environment and Spatial Development reaches a decision within 90 days, starting from the day after the submission of the complete application file.

You must pay the one-off fee for the application for recognition as ‘environmental expert in noise and vibrations’.

• For 2024, the one-off fee is 683 euros.
• The amount is index-adjusted every year.
• You are not required to pay any additional fee for an expansion of a recognition in the same discipline as the one for which you are already recognised.

As a recognised ‘environmental expert in noise and vibrations’, you must pay the annual fee (in Dutch) for the supervision of the recognition. You will receive an invoice for this by post at the start of the calendar year in your name at your official address.

• For 2024 the annual fee amounts to EUR 137.

Flemish regulation on environmental recognitions (VLAREL)