The main objective of the Statistics on Environmental Protection Activities is to have regular, representative and comparable data available regarding the expenses of the companies for the purpose of assessing the national and community policy in this environmental area.

The Survey on industry expenditure on environmental protection assess the expenditure on environmental protection made by establishments in the industrial sector, both current expenses and investments, to avoid, reduce or eliminate the pollution resulting from the development of its activity (air pollution emissions, noise pollution, wastewater treatment and the treatment of solid waste generated). The fundamental variable for the survey, investment, is broken down by environmental sphere for both types of existing equipment, "end-of-pipe" equipment and integrated equipment.