Online Application Submission for Air Pollution Control Regulations Now Available
The state capital of Mainz launched the ELiA-Online service for applications under the Federal Immission Control Act on August 10, 2026. This will allow companies and operators of facilities requiring permits under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) to prepare applications electronically and submit them to the relevant permitting authority in the future.
The online service allows users to compile the required application documents digitally and upload supplementary documents such as expert reports or drawings.
The service is already in active use for facility locations in Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Bremen. Preparations are underway to expand its use to other federal states.
“Permit procedures need to become simpler—not more complicated. With ELiA-Online, we’re bringing air pollution control into the digital age: Applications can be conveniently submitted online, and documents can be filed digitally. Mainz is leading the way in Rhineland-Palatinate. This saves paper and travel and speeds up the process without compromising environmental protection or emission control,” says Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Department of Environment and Mobility.
The City of Mainz has piloted this project for Rhineland-Palatinate. This means that Mainz is the first municipality in Rhineland-Palatinate to have technically integrated and launched this online service. The online service is intended exclusively for companies, operators of facilities requiring permits, and, where applicable, contracted engineering firms.
A permit under emission control law is required if a facility, due to its nature or operation, could cause harmful environmental impacts or endanger, significantly disadvantage, or significantly disturb the general public or the neighborhood.
Applications can be submitted via: