The Estepona Town Hall has enacted a technical instruction aimed at simplifying the processes involved in opening new establishments and starting economic activities. This adjustment aligns with the new Environmental Management Law of Andalusia (LEGAM), which came into effect on June 20.

The updated regional legislation modifies the environmental procedures businesses must follow to commence operations. In the interim, while a new municipal ordinance is being drafted to govern these processes, the local government has introduced provisional guidelines to provide clearer information for entrepreneurs and the professionals tasked with preparing necessary documentation.

Antonio Montes, the Councilor for Commerce, emphasized that this initiative aims to ‘reduce bureaucracy and ease the process for anyone wishing to start a business in the municipality.’ He noted that the Commerce Department has created this instruction to clearly outline the required documentation and procedural steps.

This new technical instruction includes templates for forms and a catalog that helps identify the appropriate procedure for each activity. Consequently, applicants can easily determine whether they need to submit an environmental license, an environmental responsibility declaration, or merely a declaration of activity. Montes reiterated that the primary goal is to minimize unnecessary administrative hurdles and avoid potential follow-up requests due to incomplete documentation, thus enabling a more efficient processing of applications.

Through this initiative, the Town Hall aims to facilitate compliance with the new regional legislation and provide guidance during this transitional phase until the new municipal ordinance, which will replace the existing regulations from 2012, is approved.