The first experience on how a part of the ARAMIS methodology has contributed to demonstration of safety in the licensing process in Slovenia for a new Seveso II plant is described. There are two foci of this description: first, trustworthy of the methodology for evaluating safety, and second, the role of a land-use plan in issuing a construction permit for the new plant. In the context of the first focus, we present why has been safety report first rejected by the regulator, and later-on accepted after applying components of the ARAMIS methodology in its revised version. In the context of the second focus, we discuss a relationship between the land-use plan and the licensing process for the new plant. The outcomes of this Seveso II plant licensing case are that the ARAMIS approach, in spite it was still under development when applied, is more transparent and credible comparing to the others, which have also been applied. This is related to the demonstration of how safety management system and general safety behaviour is integrated into the overall management policy. The conclusions take into account regulator's response in the licensing process. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.