Application for authorization, declaration of conformity and environmental audit
Application for environmental authorization
Under article 22 of the Environment Quality Act (EQA), an application for authorization must be filed with the ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) for any construction or exploitation of an industry, for the exercise of an activity or the use of an industrial process as well as for the increase in the production of a good or a service if it is likely to result in an emission, deposit, release or discharge of contaminants into the environment or a change in the quality of the environment.
Application for authorization or declaration of conformity
There are two types of procedures that can be undertaken to obtain a certificate of authorization from the MELCC and go ahead with an industrial project or allow the continuity of operations of an industry.
Depending on the specifics of the project or operations, it is possible to make either an application for authorization or a declaration of environmental compliance.
The difference between the authorization request and the declaration of conformity lies mainly in the assessment of the level of environmental risk. For activities with low environmental risks, there is a simplified procedure, the declaration of conformity.
In both cases, the professionals at Avizo Experts-Conseils will be happy to assist you in your dealings with the MELCC.
Validity of MELCC authorizations
All the conditions, commitments and documents set out in an environmental authorization are legally binding.
A new authorization or an amendment to an existing authorization may be necessary for the operation and activities of a company in the following cases:
- Increase in production volume or capacity
- Modification of the production process
- Modification or replacement of production equipment
- Modification of contaminant discharge and emission treatment systems in place.
Avizo Consulting offers all the engineering services necessary for drafting and filing an application for authorization and a declaration of conformity.
Environmental compliance audit
Laws and regulations dealing with environmental requirements are complex. The consequences of not respecting them can have an impact for the environment, the personnel, the community as well as for the image of an organization.
Entrust an environmental compliance audit mandate to the professionals of Avizo Consulting.
The purpose of the audit is to collect and assess the level of compliance with environmental laws, regulations, guides, codes and standards that may apply to your business.
This exercise makes it possible to define findings of non-compliance as well as to identify opportunities for improvement. An action plan including the steps and corrective actions to be implemented in order to achieve compliance and improve the company’s environmental performance can also be proposed.
Our environmental experts can assist you in your efforts in accordance with the principles of the Canadian Standards Association standard, CSA Z773-03.
Typical environmental compliance audit
1- Preparation
The professionals at Avizo Consulting begin by doing intensive research on your company’s activities. They will identify all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations that apply to your activities.
This phase ends with the preparation of checklists and other tools necessary for data collection.
2- Data collection
A visit to your company will be scheduled. During this visit, our specialists will inspect certain production areas, storage areas and handling of hazardous materials. They will conduct interviews and review your internal documentation:
- Environmental studies
- Authorization certificates
- Staff training record
- Water analysis register
- Hazardous Materials Register
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Transport vouchers.
They might take samples of your liquid effluent.
3- Data analysis
The data collected will be analyzed by our experienced specialists and compared with the regulatory framework during the preparation of the audit. A gap analysis will be produced and effective solutions will be identified for your organization.
4- Writing the report
A complete report will be given to you including the inventory of fixtures in terms of environmental compliance and the steps to be taken to correct the shortcomings identified.
Environmental monitoring and follow-up
During environmental surveillance and monitoring, our teams collect data and measurements on site. They take samples.
All the data collected is compared with the expected results, which makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures put in place.
You can count on our specialists to do the sampling:
- Floor
- Groundwater
- Surface water
- sediment
- Materials
- dust
- biogas.
They can also do:
- Contaminant migration monitoring
- Analysis of samples by a laboratory accredited by the MELCC
- The drafting of environmental monitoring and follow-up reports.
Support - Legal and regulatory obligations
Our professional teams have the expertise required to produce the various documents required by the Environment Quality Act (EQA) or the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).
We will assist you with the process of requesting authorization or declaration of environmental compliance.
Avizo Consulting will assist you with:
- The request for authorization or the declaration of conformity
- Assessing the regulatory compliance of your projects and operations (environmental audit)
- Air emissions modeling
Subjection to the articles of Section IV of the EQA. - Groundwater research for the development of catchment works intended to supply drinking water, irrigation water or process water (Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation, WWPR)
- Determination of protection areas and vulnerability analysis of drinking water sources using the DRASTIC method and the WWPR Vulnerability Analysis Report
- Verification of hydrogeological conditions in the context of development work on dry material depots or waste management centers
- Verification of hydrogeological conditions as part of development work on snow disposal sites (Regulation respecting snow elimination sites)
- Assessment of the impact of permanent pumping for the operation of quarries and sand pits (Regulation respecting sand pits and quarries)
- Monitoring of groundwater quality, multi-year trend analysis of concentrations and drafting of action plans.
Hydrogeological studies
Concerns associated with the potential and actual impacts on natural environments and water resources have led governments to regulate certain industrial activities and their operating contexts involving a risk of damage to groundwater quality.
This desire aims to minimize the negative impacts of human activity on fauna and flora as well as minimizing public health risks.
The hydrogeological study highlights the impact of an activity or a planned installation on its environment, verifies the compliance of existing installations and monitors the migration of contaminants.
