Representatives of the Catalan Cement Manufacturers Association, Ciment Català, took part on 23 July in a working group meeting held at the headquarters of the Directorate General for Climate Change and Environmental Quality of the Government of Catalonia. The session focused on the presentation of a new application form for processing environmental permits for new facilities and substantial modifications to existing ones. Representatives from other industrial sectors, as well as specialist consulting and engineering firms, also participated in the meeting.
The proposal put forward by the Government of Catalonia seeks to simplify and accelerate administrative procedures by ensuring that complete, high-quality technical documentation is submitted from the beginning of the process. The new form is intended to remove the initial documentary sufficiency verification stage, reduce subsequent requests for additional information and significantly shorten processing times, while maintaining the same level of environmental rigour.
Administrative simplification is essential to speeding up the industrial investments required to advance decarbonization, foster innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of the productive sector. More efficient, predictable procedures make it possible to develop strategic projects more quickly, without compromising environmental standards.
During the meeting, participants welcomed the Administration’s commitment to improving the processing of environmental permits. At the same time, Ciment Català proposed reviewing certain sections of the application form so that they better reflect the practical realities of industrial projects. Some of the information currently requested, including detailed data on raw materials and intermediate products, comprehensive lists of machinery and equipment, and information on electrical connections, may be difficult to provide during the initial stages of a project, when final technical specifications are not yet available. Ciment Català therefore proposed that some of these requirements be incorporated at a later stage in the procedure, without affecting the quality or robustness of the environmental assessment.
The Association will continue to work with the Directorate General for Climate Change and Environmental Quality towards a shared objective: a more agile and efficient administration, capable of responding to the challenges of the ecological transition while supporting the competitiveness of industry.