SEVESO III Directive – Information on Establishments with a High or Increased Risk of a Major Industrial Accident

The article presents the history of the development, and the reasons for the creation of the SEVESO Directive, with particular emphasis on the latest Directive 2012/18 / EU of the European Parliament and the Council. The SEVESO III directive imposes detailed requirements on the plant operators regarding their control against major accident hazards related to dangerous substances. Individual countries of the European Union apply various requirements (following SEVESO III or more rigorous ones) for industrial plants. In Poland, the requirements of the SEVESO III Directive have been implemented in the Environmental Protection Act, and its executive acts. The SEVESO III Directive requires that the citizens of a given country have access to information about high and increased-risk establishments. In Poland, this requirement is met through the website www.mapy.geoportal.gov.pl. People can find information on establishments posing a risk of a serious industrial accident. The article presents how to use the portal and what information can be obtained there.