COMAH

The 1999 Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH, and in Dutch it is BRZO) is part of the implementation of the EU Seveso II Directive (96/82/EEC) in the Netherlands. Since the implementation of this directive affects a number of other Acts as well, including the Working Conditions Act and the Environmental Management Act, COMAH (BRZO) has to be harmonised with this legislation and the appropriate decrees.

Obligations under COMAH (BRZO)

The obligations under COMAH (BRZO) are determined by the nature and quantity of hazardous substances present at an institution. COMAH (BRZO) has three levels for this purpose, and there are no obligations under COMAH (BRZO) below the threshold value. Companies must fulfil the basic obligations stated in COMAH (BRZO) at the first level. These companies are known as Major Accidents Prevention Policy companies, or MAPP for short. COMAH (BRZO) contains additional requirements at the highest level. This concerns companies known as Safety Report companies (SR for short).

The decree sets requirements for the protection of employees and their working environment. About 400 companies come under these regulations in the Netherlands. This group includes complex chemical processing industries as well as ordinary warehousing companies. The monitoring of companies with obligations under COMAH (BRZO) is carried out jointly by the competent authorities under the Environmental Management Act, the Health and Safety Inspectorate and the Fire Brigade (disaster management).

Examples of obligations under COMAH (BRZO)

1.  Compiling a Safety Report (SR): for the top category only
2.  Carrying out a Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA): for the top category only
3.  Carrying out an Environmental Risk Analysis (ERA): for the top category only
4.  Pursuing a Major Accidents Prevention Policy (MAPP)
5.  Working out the MAPP in a Safety Management System (SMS)
6.  Drawing up an action plan for risk reduction

Information on COMAH (BRZO) & work to be carried out 

D&F can tell you all about COMAH (BRZO)! Together with you, we examine the work, assessments and documents necessary for fulfilling your obligations under COMAH (BRZO).

If you would like to make a no-obligation appointment with one of our consultants, please call +31-(0)316-712800 or send an e-mail to info@denf.nl. We will contact you as soon as possible.