Plants, which due to their economic activity (production or service) use natural resources, influence or may influence the state of environment by the introduction of substances or energy (i.e.: wastewater, gases and particulates, waste, heat, etc.).

In statistic they include:

- plants of significant nuisance to air quality, i.e. with considerable emission and making payments for using the environment;

- plants withdrawing yearly from own intakes 5 dam³ and more of underground water or withdrawing 20 dam³ and more of surface water or discharging 20 dam³ and more of wastewater;

- plants producing yearly 1 thous. tonnes in total of hazardous or other than hazardous waste (excluding municipal waste) or with 1 mln tonnes or more of waste accumulated on own areas.