Waste, noise, industrial emissions, chemicals, pollution: The Environment Agency conducts 401 inspections in 2024

In 2024, the Environment Agency carried out 401 inspections to ensure compliance with environmental legislation across Luxembourg. These inspections took place at physical and online points of sale, businesses, industrial facilities, and along major roads. A total of 427 complaints were received regarding waste, noise, vibrations, or pollution. Half of these complaints were filed by citizens, while the remainder came from other administrations or the Grand Ducal Police. Environment Agency officers conducted 230 on-site interventions, while an additional 178 inspections were carried out at an administrative level. 

Industrial emissions

In 2024, 15 routine inspections and one unannounced inspection were conducted at companies subject to the amended law of 9 May 2014 on industrial emissions to ensure compliance with emission source obligations. 

Chemical substances and biocidal products

A total of 219 everyday items were inspected at both physical and online points of sale to verify their chemical composition, labelling, and required authorisations. The 2024 inspections focused on windscreen washer fluids, floor mats, menstrual cups, jewellery, cosmetics, and electronic cigarettes. As a result, 28 products were withdrawn from sale.

Further inspections targeted disinfectants used in food processing and production, including those used in school canteens and corporate catering services, as well as the sale of these disinfectants. Non-compliances were detected in 32 of the 212 biocidal products inspected, leading to 31 sales bans. Additionally, 10 further sales bans were imposed following the inspection of 21 biocidal products used for swimming pool water disinfection.

Under legislation to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the Environment Agency examined varnishes, paints, and vehicle refinishing products. Out of 25 products inspected, two were non-compliant regarding VOC emissions, while four failed to meet classification, labelling, and packaging regulations.

Regarding fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, compliance checks were carried out on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, as well as heat pumps, across 43 companies. Of these, 32 companies were found non-compliant in areas such as staff certification, gas cylinder labelling, and mandatory leak test documentation. Since then, 14 of these companies have rectified the issues, and the Agency continues to monitor the remaining cases.

Waste

In 2024, 34 inspections of cross-border waste shipments were conducted at strategic border locations, in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Agency and the Grand Ducal Police. Officers checked shipment documents and waste types transported by 1,685 vehicles, of which 457 were carrying waste. A total of 229 violations were identified, resulting in 222 warnings and taxes totalling approximately €41,500. Seven official reports were filed.  

Download the entire Inspection Report (in French)

Background Information

Purpose of inspections

Compliance checks with current legislation are an integral part of the Environment Agency’s mandate, which aims to protect human health and the environment, ensure adherence to legal and regulatory provisions as well as permit conditions, and oversee market surveillance.

Inspections are systematically accompanied by targeted awareness-raising campaigns for the companies concerned.

Areas of responsibility

The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring compliance with laws in various areas, including:

• The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), transposed into national legislation through the amended law of 9 May 2014 on industrial emissions: conducting periodic inspections of establishments falling within the scope of this law, particularly those listed in Annex I.
• Chemical substances contained in products.
• Proper labeling and classification of products containing chemical substances.
• Safety data sheets for chemical substances and mixtures.
• Registration and authorisation of the production and use of chemical substances.
• Marketing authorisations for biocidal products.
• Handling of internal and external complaints on various issues (pollution, noise, air pollution, etc.).
• The form for submitting an environmental complaint is available on Guichet.lu.
• Waste shipment.
• Extended producer responsibility (for packaging, electronic and electrical waste, and batteries).

Press release by the Environment Agency