If you are considering starting a business, before you go into business you should clearly differentiate between the type of activity that is harmless or qualified. These distinctions not only define the nature of your company, but also the steps to obtain the opening and activity licences necessary. Let us explain these concepts in order to understand them better.
Safe activities
Harmless activities are those that are risk-free significant to public health, the environment or safety. They are businesses that can operate relatively simply, without requiring special permits or stringent regulations.
Some common examples of harmless activities are:
- Hairdressers
- Travel agencies
- Florists
- Law firms
- Clothing shops
- Drugstores
To run a safe activity, you will generally only need to register as a business with the local authorities and ensure that you comply with basic health and safety regulations. In many cases, you can choose to file a Responsible Declaration instead of applying for a full opening licence.
Qualified activities
Qualified activities, on the other hand, are those activities that may have significant impacts on health, the environment or public safety. These activities are subject to stricter regulations and often require special permits and thorough assessments.
Some examples of qualifying activities include:
- Gyms
- Analytical laboratories
- Restaurants
- Nightclubs
- Machinery factory
- Food factory
- Dental clinics
In order to carry out a qualifying activity, it is necessary to comply with a number of specific requirements that may vary by industry and location. This may include obtaining special permits, conducting environmental impact assessments and complying with more stringent safety regulations. In these cases, you are likely to need to apply for a opening licence before commencing operations.
What are the requirements for an innocuous or qualified activity?
Once you have identified whether your business is classified as a safe or qualifying activity, it is important to meet the specific requirements.
In the harmless activities you must:
- Carrying out the business registration with local authorities, such as the municipality or other relevant institutions according to local legislation.
- Comply with the health and safety regulationsThis involves fire prevention, proper handling of chemicals and regular cleaning of the premises.
- Issue a Responsible Declaration. It is recommended to hire a technical expert to ensure that all legal requirements are met and to prevent possible failures in the process.
If your business is classified as qualified activity you will have to comply with stricter requirements such as:
- Obtaining special permits, such as health, environmental or safety permits. It will be necessary to draw up construction projects o opening projects.
- Conduct environmental impact assessments to determine the potential effects of your activity on the natural environment. You may also be required to acoustic certification environmental.
- Compliance with more rigorous security regulations, including the development of a fire plan.
Call us to start your project
At PBM Engineering we work throughout the province of Malaga, we accompany you in the whole process to meet every requirement in your project, if you need the advice and work of an expert do not hesitate in call us at to make your enquiry.
Find out about our skills in Engineer Malaga - Miguel Pulido Bendavid - Chartered Engineer
