Emissions and industrial environment (Spain)
A list of checks and obligations with their cadence, ready to add to your agenda.
For Spanish businesses with potentially air-polluting activities (APCA), refrigeration or air-conditioning plant using fluorinated gases, water discharges or noisy operations. Covers the APCA permit or notification, periodic emission checks by an accredited control body, the emissions register, the PRTR declaration, F-gas leak checks, the discharge authorisation and acoustic control. Does not cover the integrated environmental permit as a whole, environmental impact assessment or sector-specific emission limits.
Questions about this product?
Ask what is in the manuals, how often the maintenance is due and what it takes to do it.
What it already has at hand
- No manual on this page
- 11 planned checks, the most frequent every year by 31 March
Planned checks
Informative summary verified on 11/09/2026. It does not replace legal advice: the regulation cited prevails. If you spot an error, report it.
Some checks are only mandatory in certain countries: pick yours and the list follows.
- 01
Keep the F-gas equipment records
For each piece of equipment subject to leak checks the operator keeps a record of the quantity and type of gas charged, the quantities recovered, the check results and the details of the company or technician involved. The record must be kept for at least 5 years and made available to the competent authority on request. Proof: the equipment record, on paper or electronic. Applies to operators of equipment subject to leak checks under art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 7European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Carry out the F-gas leak check
The operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases has leak checks performed by certified personnel, at intervals set by the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Any leak found must be repaired and the check repeated after at least 24 hours of operation and within 1 month. Proof: the check report signed by the certified technician. Applies to equipment with at least 5 t CO2eq of Annex I gases, or at least 1 kg of Annex II gases, every 12 months from 5 to under 50 t CO2eq, every 6 months from 50 to under 500 t and every 3 months from 500 t upwards, with the intervals doubled where a leak detection system is installed; hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2eq and certain electrical switchgear are excluded.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 5; RD 115/2017European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
- 01
Keep the F-gas equipment records
For each piece of equipment subject to leak checks the operator keeps a record of the quantity and type of gas charged, the quantities recovered, the check results and the details of the company or technician involved. The record must be kept for at least 5 years and made available to the competent authority on request. Proof: the equipment record, on paper or electronic. Applies to operators of equipment subject to leak checks under art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 7European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Carry out the F-gas leak check
The operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases has leak checks performed by certified personnel, at intervals set by the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Any leak found must be repaired and the check repeated after at least 24 hours of operation and within 1 month. Proof: the check report signed by the certified technician. Applies to equipment with at least 5 t CO2eq of Annex I gases, or at least 1 kg of Annex II gases, every 12 months from 5 to under 50 t CO2eq, every 6 months from 50 to under 500 t and every 3 months from 500 t upwards, with the intervals doubled where a leak detection system is installed; hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2eq and certain electrical switchgear are excluded.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 5; RD 115/2017European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
- 01
Keep the F-gas equipment records
For each piece of equipment subject to leak checks the operator keeps a record of the quantity and type of gas charged, the quantities recovered, the check results and the details of the company or technician involved. The record must be kept for at least 5 years and made available to the competent authority on request. Proof: the equipment record, on paper or electronic. Applies to operators of equipment subject to leak checks under art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 7European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Carry out the F-gas leak check
The operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases has leak checks performed by certified personnel, at intervals set by the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Any leak found must be repaired and the check repeated after at least 24 hours of operation and within 1 month. Proof: the check report signed by the certified technician. Applies to equipment with at least 5 t CO2eq of Annex I gases, or at least 1 kg of Annex II gases, every 12 months from 5 to under 50 t CO2eq, every 6 months from 50 to under 500 t and every 3 months from 500 t upwards, with the intervals doubled where a leak detection system is installed; hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2eq and certain electrical switchgear are excluded.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 5; RD 115/2017European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
In Switzerland this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
- 01
Keep the F-gas equipment records
For each piece of equipment subject to leak checks the operator keeps a record of the quantity and type of gas charged, the quantities recovered, the check results and the details of the company or technician involved. The record must be kept for at least 5 years and made available to the competent authority on request. Proof: the equipment record, on paper or electronic. Applies to operators of equipment subject to leak checks under art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 7European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Carry out the F-gas leak check
The operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases has leak checks performed by certified personnel, at intervals set by the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Any leak found must be repaired and the check repeated after at least 24 hours of operation and within 1 month. Proof: the check report signed by the certified technician. Applies to equipment with at least 5 t CO2eq of Annex I gases, or at least 1 kg of Annex II gases, every 12 months from 5 to under 50 t CO2eq, every 6 months from 50 to under 500 t and every 3 months from 500 t upwards, with the intervals doubled where a leak detection system is installed; hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2eq and certain electrical switchgear are excluded.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 5; RD 115/2017European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
In United Kingdom this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
- 01
Obtain the APCA permit or file the notification
Before operating a plant that carries out a catalogued air-polluting activity, the operator obtains a permit from the Comunidad Autónoma for group A or B activities, or files a notificación for group C. The act sets emission limit values and control frequencies and, for groups A and B, lasts no more than eight years, so it must be renewed on expiry. Proof: the permit decision or the notification receipt. Applies to plants with activities classified in groups A and B (permit) or C (notification) of the APCA catalogue; the permit may be absorbed into the integrated environmental permit where the plant is subject to one.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationLey 34/2007 art. 13 y RD 100/2011 art. 5 y 6Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Keep the air emissions register
The plant operator keeps an up-to-date register with the identification of the activity, the emission sources, operating hours, incidents, maintenance and control results, and reports it to the Comunidad Autónoma in the format and at the frequency that authority sets. The register must be kept for no less than 10 years. Proof: the register itself and the reports sent. Applies to all operators of APCA plants in groups A, B and C.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRD 100/2011 art. 8Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 03
Verify the activity's compliance with noise limits
Industrial, commercial, sports and entertainment activities may not transmit noise levels above the applicable limits to neighbouring premises. Have an acoustic measurement carried out by a competent technician after any change of plant or opening hours and whenever the municipality requests it; the annual interval shown here is a recommendation, not a national obligation. Proof: the acoustic study or report and the insulation certificate. Applies to activities subject to a municipal licence or to a responsible declaration that emit noise, such as entertainment venues, workshops, air-conditioning plant and loading and unloading operations.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsRecommendedLey 37/2003 del Ruido; RD 1367/2007Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 04
Keep the F-gas equipment records
For each piece of equipment subject to leak checks the operator keeps a record of the quantity and type of gas charged, the quantities recovered, the check results and the details of the company or technician involved. The record must be kept for at least 5 years and made available to the competent authority on request. Proof: the equipment record, on paper or electronic. Applies to operators of equipment subject to leak checks under art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 7European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 05
File the annual PRTR-España declaration
The operator of an industrial complex carrying out an Anexo I activity above the capacity thresholds reports each year its releases to air, water and soil and its off-site waste transfers. The window commonly opened by the regional portals runs from 1 January to 31 March of the year following the data year, but the date must be confirmed each year on the portal of the relevant Comunidad Autónoma. Proof: the PRTR submission receipt. Applies to industrial complexes carrying out one or more activities of Anexo I of RD 508/2007 above the capacity thresholds set there, in practice almost all plants subject to an integrated environmental permit.
- 06
Carry out the F-gas leak check
The operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases has leak checks performed by certified personnel, at intervals set by the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Any leak found must be repaired and the check repeated after at least 24 hours of operation and within 1 month. Proof: the check report signed by the certified technician. Applies to equipment with at least 5 t CO2eq of Annex I gases, or at least 1 kg of Annex II gases, every 12 months from 5 to under 50 t CO2eq, every 6 months from 50 to under 500 t and every 3 months from 500 t upwards, with the intervals doubled where a leak detection system is installed; hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2eq and certain electrical switchgear are excluded.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 5; RD 115/2017European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 07
Run the discharge self-monitoring programme
Sample and analyse the discharge at the frequency and on the parameters set in the authorisation, keeping the analytical certificates and the self-monitoring log available to the basin authority. The six-month interval set here is only a starting value: replace it with the one written in the authorisation. Proof: laboratory test reports and the self-monitoring log. Applies to holders of a discharge authorisation; the actual frequency, whether monthly, quarterly, six-monthly or annual, and the parameters are those written in the authorisation.
continuous check, confirm every 6 monthsLegal obligationRD 849/1986 (RDPH) art. 251.1.e)Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 08
Have the external emission check carried out (group A)
Plants classified in group A of the APCA catalogue have their channelled emissions measured by an accredited control body, which sends the report to the Comunidad Autónoma. The actual frequency is the one written in the permit, so check the permit before setting the deadline. Proof: the accredited body's external control report. Applies to plants with group A activities of the APCA catalogue; internal self-monitoring at the frequency set in the permit is still required.
every 24 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRD 100/2011 art. 6 y 7; Ley 34/2007 art. 13Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 09
Have the external emission check carried out (group B)
Plants classified in group B of the APCA catalogue have their channelled emissions measured by an accredited control body, which sends the report to the Comunidad Autónoma. Where the plant also runs group A activities, the stricter two-yearly frequency applies. Proof: the accredited body's external control report. Applies to plants with group B activities of the APCA catalogue; internal self-monitoring at the frequency set in the permit, often annual, is still required.
every 36 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRD 100/2011 art. 6 y 7; Ley 34/2007 art. 13Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 10
Renew or review the discharge authorisation
A discharge authorisation to the public water domain lasts at most five years and is deemed renewed for equal periods as long as the discharge keeps meeting environmental quality standards. Check its validity and apply for a review when flow, process or discharge point change; a review started by the authority is notified six months in advance. Proof: the authorisation or renewal decision. Applies to anyone discharging wastewater into the public water domain through the competent Confederación Hidrográfica; discharges to the municipal sewer are instead covered by the municipal or consortium permit.
every 60 months since the last jobLegal obligationRD 849/1986 (RDPH) art. 249.4 y art. 251Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 11
Have the external emission check carried out (group C)
Plants classified in group C of the APCA catalogue have their channelled emissions measured by an accredited control body, which sends the report to the Comunidad Autónoma. The Comunidad Autónoma may set specific control requirements for notification-only plants or exempt them from the checks in whole or in part. Proof: the accredited body's external control report. Applies to plants with group C activities of the APCA catalogue, which are subject to notification only.
every 60 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRD 100/2011 art. 6 y 7; Ley 34/2007 art. 13Spain onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
- 01
Keep the F-gas equipment records
For each piece of equipment subject to leak checks the operator keeps a record of the quantity and type of gas charged, the quantities recovered, the check results and the details of the company or technician involved. The record must be kept for at least 5 years and made available to the competent authority on request. Proof: the equipment record, on paper or electronic. Applies to operators of equipment subject to leak checks under art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 7European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Carry out the F-gas leak check
The operator of equipment containing fluorinated gases has leak checks performed by certified personnel, at intervals set by the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Any leak found must be repaired and the check repeated after at least 24 hours of operation and within 1 month. Proof: the check report signed by the certified technician. Applies to equipment with at least 5 t CO2eq of Annex I gases, or at least 1 kg of Annex II gases, every 12 months from 5 to under 50 t CO2eq, every 6 months from 50 to under 500 t and every 3 months from 500 t upwards, with the intervals doubled where a leak detection system is installed; hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2eq and certain electrical switchgear are excluded.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationRegulation (EU) 2024/573 art. 5; RD 115/2017European Union onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
In United States this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Other country this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
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