This Act establishes the legal grounds and procedures for environmental impact assessment of proposed activities and for strategic environmental assessment of strategic planning documents. It defines environmental impact and significant environmental impact and identifies the authorities concerned in the assessment procedures. It regulates the application of administrative procedure rules to these proceedings.
The Act sets out the initiation of environmental impact assessment, including cases where assessment is mandatory or subject to a preliminary estimate. It provides for the stages of the assessment process, including preparation of an environmental impact assessment program and report, determination of their content, submission for opinions, public display, consultation, and verification of compliance. It regulates requirements for development consent applications, the role and obligations of the developer and the decision-maker, and the licensing and duties of the leading expert responsible for the assessment.
The Act regulates the consideration of environmental impact assessment results in decisions on granting or refusing development consent, including requirements to take into account the assessment report and environmental measures. It regulates environmental monitoring as part of environmental measures and provides for ex‑post evaluation based on monitoring results. It establishes specific provisions for environmental impact assessment related to certain categories of activities, including renewable energy projects, Natura 2000 sites and activities with potential transboundary environmental impact, including notification, consultation and exchange of information between affected states.
It also contains provisions on environmental assessment of strategic planning documents, including conditions for initiation, preparation and content of the assessment program and report, procedures for public participation, submission of opinions, and verification of compliance. It provides for consideration of assessment results in the adoption of strategic planning documents and for monitoring of their environmental impact. The Act also regulates the environmental management and audit scheme, including registration and accreditation procedures, and the eco‑labelling system, including application, fees and use conditions. It establishes liability for violations of the requirements set out in the Act and designates competent authorities for proceedings.
The Act sets out the initiation of environmental impact assessment, including cases where assessment is mandatory or subject to a preliminary estimate. It provides for the stages of the assessment process, including preparation of an environmental impact assessment program and report, determination of their content, submission for opinions, public display, consultation, and verification of compliance. It regulates requirements for development consent applications, the role and obligations of the developer and the decision-maker, and the licensing and duties of the leading expert responsible for the assessment.
The Act regulates the consideration of environmental impact assessment results in decisions on granting or refusing development consent, including requirements to take into account the assessment report and environmental measures. It regulates environmental monitoring as part of environmental measures and provides for ex‑post evaluation based on monitoring results. It establishes specific provisions for environmental impact assessment related to certain categories of activities, including renewable energy projects, Natura 2000 sites and activities with potential transboundary environmental impact, including notification, consultation and exchange of information between affected states.
It also contains provisions on environmental assessment of strategic planning documents, including conditions for initiation, preparation and content of the assessment program and report, procedures for public participation, submission of opinions, and verification of compliance. It provides for consideration of assessment results in the adoption of strategic planning documents and for monitoring of their environmental impact. The Act also regulates the environmental management and audit scheme, including registration and accreditation procedures, and the eco‑labelling system, including application, fees and use conditions. It establishes liability for violations of the requirements set out in the Act and designates competent authorities for proceedings.
This Act provides legal bases and procedure for assessment of likely environmental impact, organisation of eco-management and audit scheme and legal bases for awarding eco-label in order to prevent environmental damage and establishes liability upon violation of the requirements of this Act. The objective of environmental impact assessment is: (a) to make, on the basis of the results of
Consolidated version of the Act, as last amended by the Act of 25 February 2026, published in RT I, 18 March 2026, 1.
Title:
Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act (2005).
País:
Estonia
Type of document:
Legislación
Date of original text:
Date of latest amendment:
ECOLEX regions:
ECOLEX URL:
Files:
Repealed:
No
Implements