Measurement of pollutants and odorous substances and preparation of dispersion studies

A regulated trade for the authorised measurement and assessment of emissions of pollutants and odorous substances, verification of greenhouse gas emission quantities, and the preparation of dispersion studies. The professional qualification is set directly by Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (through education in the natural/technical sciences, or by retraining and practice) and cannot be replaced by general practice alone, as is the case with a craft trade. To actually carry out authorised activities, an authorisation (certificate of authorisation) under Act No. 201/2012 Coll., on the protection of the air, granted by the Ministry of the Environment, is also required.

Examples of activities

• One-off authorised measurement of pollutant emissions from stationary sources of air pollution
• Measurement and assessment of compliance with emission limits for boilers, technological lines and other sources
• Measurement of the permissible level of nuisance caused by odour and the intensity of odours (odorous substances)
• Measurement of smoke opacity and checking compliance with the relevant limits
• Verification of greenhouse gas emission quantities from installations holding a permit to emit greenhouse gases
• Verification of the supporting data used as the basis for the reported quantity of greenhouse gas emissions
• Preparation of dispersion studies to calculate the spread of pollutants and odorous substances in the air
• Preparation of supporting documents for proceedings on permitting the operation of stationary sources of air pollution

What this trade is and what it is for

This regulated trade covers the professional measurement and assessment of emissions in air protection. It includes in particular the authorised measurement and assessment of emissions of pollutants and odorous substances from sources of air pollution, the verification of greenhouse gas emission quantities, and the preparation of dispersion studies, which model the spread of pollutants in the air. The trade does not include the measurement of emissions from motor vehicles.

The outputs of these activities (measurement protocols, verification reports, dispersion studies) serve as expert supporting documents for the air protection authorities, for permitting proceedings, and for the fulfilment of the statutory obligations of source operators. It is therefore a regulated activity for which the law places emphasis on a proven professional qualification.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

This trade covers in particular:

• one-off measurement of pollutant emissions from stationary sources and the assessment of compliance with emission limits,
• measurement of the permissible level of nuisance caused by odour and the intensity of odours (odorous substances), and measurement of smoke opacity,
• verification of greenhouse gas emission quantities and related supporting data,
• preparation of dispersion studies (calculation of the spread of substances in the air).

Boundaries with neighbouring activities: the manufacture or installation of measuring instruments, ordinary laboratory analyses not carried out as authorised emission measurement, design or engineering activity in construction, or environmental protection consultancy fall under other trades (typically unqualified or other regulated trades, or activities under special legislation). The measurement of emissions from motor vehicles does not belong here.

Statutory conditions for obtaining the trade

The applicant (a natural person, or, where applicable, the responsible representative) must meet:

1. The general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act - full legal capacity and a clean criminal record.

2. The professional qualification under Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. For this trade it is tied to education, or to retraining combined with practice, and can be satisfied by one of the following options:

   • higher education focused on the natural sciences or technical sciences and technologies, or
   • higher vocational education in such a field and 1 year of practice, or
   • secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in such a field and 1 year of practice, or
   • a retraining certificate (other proof of professional qualification) issued by an accredited institution and 2 years of practice in the field.

   Unlike craft trades, the professional qualification here cannot be proven by the mere length of general practice - one of the listed documents must be submitted. The length of practice is only a supplement to the prescribed education or retraining, not a separate route.

3. Authorisation under the Air Protection Act (sectoral condition for performing the activity). In order to actually carry out the authorised activities, you must obtain an authorisation - certificate of authorisation under Act No. 201/2012 Coll., on the protection of the air. The authorisation is granted by the Ministry of the Environment (Section 32 of the Air Protection Act) after passing an examination of professional competence before an authorisation commission; the certificate is issued for a period of 5 years. The authorisation under Section 32 applies in particular to one-off emission measurement, measurement of pollution levels, the preparation of an expert opinion and the preparation of a dispersion study. Verification of greenhouse gas emission quantities, however, is not carried out on the basis of this authorisation - it is performed by accredited verifiers under directly applicable EU regulations; accreditation in the Czech Republic is provided by the Czech Accreditation Institute.

Because the specific scope of the authorisation depends on the planned activities, we recommend verifying the exact requirements with the Ministry of the Environment and the relevant Trade Licensing Office.

Responsible representative (Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act): if the business holder does not meet the professional qualification in person (typically a legal person, or where a natural person does not have it), they may appoint a responsible representative who meets the professional qualification conditions in person. One person may be a responsible representative for no more than 4 business holders.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

This is a notifiable trade, so the licence generally comes into existence on the date of notification (once the conditions are met):

1. Complete the Unified Registration Form (URF).
2. Submit it at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
3. Submit proof of professional qualification under Annex 2 (education, or retraining and practice), and, where applicable, the documents for the responsible representative, and pay the administrative fee.
4. After notification, the Trade Licensing Office will make an entry in the Trade Register, usually within 5 working days, and issue an extract.
5. Before commencing the actual authorised activities, arrange your authorisation (certificate of authorisation) with the Ministry of the Environment, or accreditation as a verifier for greenhouse gases.

You can find the detailed general procedure in the guide /jak-zalozit-zivnost.

Documents and fees

• A completed URF (notification of the trade).
• Proof of professional qualification under Annex 2 - proof of education, or a retraining certificate and proof of practice.
• Documents for the responsible representative (consent, declaration), if one is appointed.
• Any documents on the use of the registered office and other annexes as instructed by the Office.
• Administrative fee for notifying the trade: CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 for electronic submission.

Note: The certificate of authorisation under the Air Protection Act is dealt with separately with the Ministry of the Environment; it is not an annex to the trade notification, but it is required for the actual performance of the authorised activities.

Frequently asked questions

Is higher education in the field sufficient for this trade?

To meet the professional qualification under Annex 2, yes - higher education focused on the natural sciences or technical sciences and technologies is sufficient (with no requirement for practice). For lower levels of education, 1 year of practice is additionally required, and for retraining 2 years of practice. To actually carry out authorised measurements, however, an authorisation from the Ministry of the Environment is also needed, beyond the trade itself.

Can the professional qualification be replaced by practice, as with a craft trade?

Not in the way it can with a craft trade. For a regulated trade, the professional qualification is set directly by Annex 2 and the mere length of general practice is not sufficient - the prescribed education, or retraining, must be documented. Practice (1 or 2 years) is only a supplement to these documents.

Do I need an authorisation to do business, or is a trade licence enough?

A trade licence entitles you to do business in the field, but for the actual performance of authorised activities (e.g. one-off emission measurement or the preparation of a dispersion study), an authorisation - certificate of authorisation from the Ministry of the Environment is required under the Air Protection Act. Verification of greenhouse gas emissions requires accreditation as a verifier (Czech Accreditation Institute).

What if I do not meet the professional qualification myself?

You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act who meets the professional qualification in person. One person may be a responsible representative for no more than 4 business holders.

When can I start doing business?

For a notifiable trade, generally on the date of notification once the conditions are met; the Office will usually make the entry in the register within 5 working days. The actual authorised activities, however, may be carried out only after obtaining the relevant authorisation or accreditation.

Where can I check whether I have the correct scope of authorisation?

With the Ministry of the Environment (which grants authorisations under the Air Protection Act) and with the Czech Accreditation Institute (for greenhouse gas verifiers). The scope of the authorisation must correspond to the activities stated in the notification.

Sources

• Trade Licensing Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (zakonyprolidi.cz)
• Act No. 201/2012 Coll., on the protection of the air (zakonyprolidi.cz)
• Ministry of Industry and Trade (mpo.gov.cz)