Law No. 03/L-230 on Strategic Environmental Assessment

Law No. 03/L-230 on Strategic Environmental Assessment was adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and published in the Official Gazette on 29 October 2010. This law aims to ensure a high level of protection of the environment and human health through the integration of environmental principles in the process of preparation, approval and implementation of plans and programs, promoting sustainable development. [​Official Gazette]

Purpose and Main Objectives:

  • Integration of Environmental Principles: The Law aims to integrate environmental considerations in the early stages of the preparation of plans and programs in order to prevent or reduce negative impacts on the environment.
  • Promotion of Sustainable Development: Through strategic environmental assessment (SEA), the Law aims to ensure that economic and social development is in harmony with environmental protection.

Scope:

  • The Law applies to plans and programs in various fields, including:
  • Spatial and Urban Planning: Plans and programs related to land use and urban development.
  • Economic Sectors: Agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, mining, transport, waste management, water management, telecommunications and tourism.
  • The SEA is mandatory for plans and programs that set the framework for the development of projects listed in the annexes to the Law.

Procedure of Strategic Environmental Assessment:

  • Determination of the Need for SEA: The responsible authority assesses whether a plan or programme requires SEA based on the criteria set out in the law.
  • Preparation of the SEA Report: A detailed report analysing the potential environmental impacts of the proposed plan or programme is prepared.
  • Public Consultation: The SEA report is subject to consultations with the public and relevant authorities to obtain comments and suggestions.
  • Integration of Comments: The comments received during the public consultation are taken into account and, if necessary, amendments are made to the plan or programme.
  • Decision-making: The competent authority takes the decision to approve or reject the plan or programme based on the SEA report and the results of the consultations.

Amendments and Supplements:

This law has been amended and supplemented by Law No. 08/L-176 on Amending and Supplementing Laws Containing Special Administrative Procedures and Their Harmonization with Law No. 05/L-031 on General Administrative Procedure, published on July 6, 2023.

Repeal of the Previous Law:

With the entry into force of this law, Law No. 03/L-015 on Strategic Environmental Assessment, which was in force since March 25, 2009, has been repealed.

For more details, you can consult the full text of the law in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Kosovo.

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