Law No. 08/L-181 on Environmental Impact Assessment
Law No. 08/L-181 on Environmental Impact Assessment, adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and published in the Official Gazette on January 6, 2023, aims to ensure a high level of environmental protection through the prevention of damage and negative effects that may be caused by public or private projects.
Purpose and Main Objectives:
- Prevention of Adverse Impacts: The law aims to identify, prevent, reduce and, where possible, compensate for negative effects on the environment that may be caused by certain projects.
- Public Involvement: Ensuring public participation and transparency in decision-making processes related to environmental impact.
Scope:
- The law applies to public and private projects that may have a significant impact on the environment, including:
- Projects requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): The list of projects subject to an EIA is set out in the annexes to the law and includes sectors such as energy, infrastructure, industry and agriculture.
- Projects requiring individual review: For projects that may have a significant impact on the environment, the competent authorities decide whether an EIA is required based on certain criteria.
Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure:
The procedure includes some main steps:
- Submission of the application: The project developer submits the EIA application to the competent authority, including the necessary information about the project and the potential impacts on the environment.
- Public participation: During the EIA process, the public is informed and has the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions regarding the proposed project.
- Approval decision: After reviewing the EIA report and the comments received, the competent authority makes the decision to approve or reject the project.
Responsibilities and Obligations:
- Project developers: Are obliged to prepare the EIA report, provide accurate and complete information, and cooperate with the competent authorities throughout the process.
- Competent authorities: Are responsible for administering the EIA process, ensuring public participation, and making decisions in accordance with the law.
This law replaces Law No. 03/L-214 on Environmental Impact Assessment, improving and updating the legal framework in line with international standards and best practices.
Sources:
Gazeta Zyrtare
HANDIKOS
