24.4.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC104/7
CONVENTION
onenvironmental impactassessmentinatransboundary context
THEPARTIESTOTHISCONVENTION ,
AWAREoftheinterrelationship betweeneconomicactivitiesandtheirenvironmental consequences ,
AFFIRMING theneedtoensureenvironmentally soundandsustainabledevelopment ,
DETERMINED toenhanceinternationalcooperationinassessingenvironmental impactinparticularina
transboundary context,
MINDFULoftheneedandimportancetodevelopanticipatorypoliciesandofpreventing,mitigatingand
monitoringsignificantadverseenvironmentalimpactingeneralandmorespecificallyinatransboundary
context,
RECALLING therelevantprovisionsoftheCharteroftheUnitedNations,theDeclarationofthe
StockholmConferenceontheHumanEnvironment ,theFinalActoftheConferenceonSecurityand
CooperationinEurope(CSCE)andtheConcludingDocumentsoftheMadridandViennaMeetingsof
Representatives oftheParticipatingStatesoftheCSCE,
COMMENDING theongoingactivitiesofStatestoensurethat,throughtheirnationallegalandadminis­
trativeprovisionsandtheirnationalpolicies,environmental impactassessmentiscarriedout,
CONSCIOUS oftheneedtogiveexplicitconsiderationtoenvironmental factorsatanearlystageinthe
decision-making processbyapplyingenvironmental impactassessment,atallappropriateadministrative
levels,asanecessarytooltoimprovethequalityofinformationpresentedtodecisionmakerssothat
environmentally sounddecisionscanbemadepayingcarefulattentiontominimizingsignificantadverse
impact,particularlyinatransboundary context,
MINDFULoftheeffortsofinternationalorganizations topromotetheuseofenvironmental impact
assessmentbothatthenationalandinternationallevels,andtakingintoaccountworkonenvironmental
impactassessmentcarriedoutundertheauspicesoftheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEurope,
inparticularresultsachievedbytheSeminaronEnvironmental ImpactAssessment (September1987,
Warsaw,Poland)aswellasnotingtheGoalsandPrinciplesonenvironmental impactassessmentadopted
bytheGoverningCounciloftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme,andtheMinisterialDeclaration
onSustainableDevelopment (May1990,Bergen,Norway),
HAVEAGREEDASFOLLOWS :
Article1
Definitions4.'ConcernedParties'meansthePartyoforiginand
theaffectedPartyofanenvironmental impact
assessmentpursuanttothisConvention ;
5.'Proposedactivity'meansanyactivityoranymajor
changetoanactivitysubjecttoadecisionofa
competentauthorityinaccordancewithan
applicablenationalprocedure;
6.'Environmental impactassessment'meansanational
procedureforevaluatingthelikelyimpactofa
proposedactivityontheenvironment ;
7.'Impact'meansanyeffectcausedbyaproposed
activityontheenvironmentincludinghumanhealth
andsafety,flora,fauna,soil,air,water,climate,
landscapeandhistoricalmonumentsorother
physicalstructuresortheinteractionamongthese
factors;italsoincludeseffectsonculturalheritage
orsocio-economic conditionsresultingfromalter­
ationstothosefactors;ForthepurposeofthisConvention ,
1.'Parties'means,unlessthetextotherwiseindicates,
theContractingPartiestothisConvention ;
2.'Partyoforigin'meanstheContractingPartyor
PartiestothisConventionunderwhosejurisdictiona
proposedactivityisenvisagedtotakeplace;
3.'AffectedParty'meanstheContractingPartyor
PartiestothisConventionlikelytobeaffectedby
thetransboundary impactofaproposedactivity;

NoC104/8 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.4.92
8.'Transboundary impact'meansanyimpact,not
exclusivelyofaglobalnature,withinanareaunder
thejurisdictionofaPartycausedbyaproposed
activitythephysicaloriginofwhichissituated
whollyorinpartwithintheareaunderthejuris­
dictionofanotherParty;
9.'Competentauthority'meansthenationalauthority
orauthoritiesdesignatedbyaPartyasresponsible
forperformingthetaskscoveredbythisConvention
and/ortheauthorityorauthoritiesentrustedbya
Partywithdecision-making powersregardinga
proposedactivity;
10.'ThePublic'meansoneormorenaturalorlegal
persons .
Article2
GeneralprovisionsAppendixIthatislikelytocauseasignificantadverse
transboundary impact.
5.ConcernedPartiesshall,attheinitiativeofany
suchParty,enterintodiscussionsonwhetheroneor
moreproposedactivitiesnotlistedinAppendixIisor
arelikelytocauseasignificantadversetransboundary
impactandthusshouldbetreatedasifitortheywereso
listed.WherethosePartiessoagree,theactivityoracti­
vitiesshallbethustreated.Generalguidanceforiden­
tifyingcriteriatodeterminesignificantadverseimpactis
setforthinAppendixIII.
6.ThePartyoforiginshallprovide,inaccordance
withtheprovisionsofthisConvention ,anopportunityto
thepublicintheareaslikelytobeaffectedtoparticipate
inrelevantenvironmental impactassessmentprocedures
regardingproposedactivitiesandshallensurethatthe
opportunityprovidedtothepublicoftheaffectedParty
isequivalenttothatprovidedtothepublicoftheParty
oforigin.
7.Environmental impactassessmentsasrequiredby
thisConventionshall,asaminimumrequirement ,be
undertakenattheprojectleveloftheproposedactivity.
Totheextentappropriate,thePartiesshallendeavourto
applytheprinciplesofenvironmental impactassessment
topolicies,plansandprogrammes .
8.TheprovisionsofthisConventionshallnotaffect
therightofPartiestoimplementnationallaws,regu­
lations,administrative provisionsoracceptedlegal
practicesprotectinginformationthesupplyofwhich
wouldbeprejudicialtoindustrialandcommercial
secrecyornationalsecurity.
9.TheprovisionsofthisConventionshallnotaffect
therightofparticularPartiestoimplement,bybilateral
ormultilateralagreementwhereappropriate,more
stringentmeasuresthanthoseofthisConvention .
10.TheprovisionsofthisConventionshallnot
prejudiceanyobligationsofthePartiesunderinterna­
tionallawwithregardtoactivitieshavingorlikelyto
haveatransboundary impact.
Article3
Notification
1.ForaproposedactivitylistedinAppendixIthatis
likelytocauseasignificantadversetransboundary
impact,thePartyoforiginshall,forthepurposesof
ensuringadequateandeffectiveconsultationspursuantto
Article5,notifyanyPartywhichitconsidersmaybean
affectedPartyasearlyaspossibleandnolaterthan
wheninformingitsownpublicaboutthatproposed
activity.1.ThePartiesshall,eitherindividuallyorjointly,take
allappropriateandeffectivemeasurestoprevent,reduce
andcontrolsignificantadversetransboundary environ­
mentalimpactfromproposedactivities.
2.EachPartyshalltakethenecessarylegal,adminis­
trativeorothermeasurestoimplementtheprovisionsof
thisConvention,including,withrespecttoproposed
activitieslistedinAppendixIthatarelikelytocause
significantadversetransboundary impact,theestab­
lishmentofanenvironmental impactassessment
procedurethatpermitspublicparticipationandprepa­
rationoftheenvironmental impactassessmentdocumen­
tationdescribedinAppendixII.
3.ThePartyoforiginshallensurethatinaccordance
withtheprovisionsofthisConventionanenvironmental
impactassessmentisundertakenpriortoadecisionto
authorizeorundertakeaproposedactivitylistedin
AppendixIthatislikelytocauseasignificantadverse
transboundary impact.
4.ThePartyoforiginshall,consistentwiththe
provisionsofthisConvention ,ensurethataffected
Partiesarenotifiedofaproposedactivitylistedin

24.4.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC104/9
likelytobeasignificantadversetransboundary impact.If
thosePartiesagreethatthereislikelytobeasignificant
adversetransboundary impact,theprovisionsofthis
Conventionshallapplyaccordingly .IfthoseParties
cannotagreewhetherthereislikelytobeasignificant
adversetransboundary impact,anysuchPartymay
submitthatquestiontoaninquirycommissionin
accordancewiththeprovisionsofAppendixIVtoadvise
onthelikelihoodofsignificantadversetransboundary
impact,unlesstheyagreeonanothermethodofsettling
thisquestion.
8.TheconcernedPartiesshallensurethatthepublic
oftheaffectedPartyintheareaslikelytobeaffectedbe
informedof,andbeprovidedwithpossibilitiesfor
makingcommentsorobjectionson,theproposed
activity,andforthetransmittalofthesecommentsor
objectionstothecompetentauthorityofthePartyof
origin,eitherdirectlytothisauthorityor,whereappro­
priate,throughthePartyoforigin.
Article4
Preparationoftheenvironmental impactassessment
documentation2.Thisnotificationshallcontain,interalia:
(a)informationontheproposedactivity,includingany
availableinformationonitspossibletransboundary
impact;
(b)thenatureofthepossibledecision;and
(c)anindicationofareasonabletimewithinwhicha
responseunderparagraph3ofthisArticleis
required,takingintoaccountthenatureofthe
proposedactivity;
andmayincludetheinformationsetoutinparagraph5
ofthisArticle.
3.TheaffectedPartyshallrespondtothePartyof
originwithinthetimespecifiedinthenotification,
acknowledging receiptofthenotification,andshall
indicatewhetheritintendstoparticipateintheenviron­
mentalimpactassessmentprocedure .
4.IftheaffectedPartyindicatesthatitdoesnot
intendtoparticipateintheenvironmental impact
assessmentprocedure,orifitdoesnotrespondwithin
thetimespecifiedinthenotification,theprovisionsin
paragraphs5,6,7and8ofthisArticleandinArticles4
to7willnotapply.Insuchcircumstancestherightofa
Partyoforigintodeterminewhethertocarryoutan
environmental impactassessmentonthebasisofits
nationallawandpracticeisnotprejudiced .
5.UponreceiptofaresponsefromtheaffectedParty
indicatingitsdesiretoparticipateintheenvironmental
impactassessmentprocedure,thePartyoforiginshall,if
ithasnotalreadydoneso,providetotheaffectedParty:
(a)relevantinformationregardingtheenvironmental
impactassessmentprocedure,includinganindication
ofthetimeschedulefortransmittalofcomments;
and
(b)relevantinformationontheproposedactivityandits
possiblesignificantadversetransboundary impact.
6.AnaffectedPartyshall,attherequestof.theParty
oforigin,providethelatterwithreasonablyobtainable
informationrelatingtothepotentiallyaffected
environmentunderthejurisdictionoftheaffectedParty,
wheresuchinformationisnecessaryforthepreparation
oftheenvironmental impactassessmentdocumentation .
Theinformationshallbefurnishedpromptlyand,as
appropriate,throughajointbodywhereoneexists.
7.WhenaPartyconsidersthatitwouldbeaffected
byasignificantadversetransboundary impactofa
proposedactivitylistedinAppendixI,andwhennonoti­
ficationhastakenplaceinaccordancewithparagraph 1
ofthisArticle,theconcernedPartiesshall,attherequest
oftheaffectedParty,exchangesufficientinformationfor
thepurposesofholdingdiscussionsonwhetherthereis1.Theenvironmental impactassessmentdocumen­
tationtobesubmittedtothecompetentauthorityofthe
Partyoforiginshallcontain,asaminimum,theinfor­
mationdescribedinAppendixII.
2.ThePartyfooriginshallfurnishtheaffectedParty,
asappropriatethroughajointbodywhereoneexists,
withtheenvironmental impactassessmentdocumen­
tation.TheconcernedPartiesshallarrangefordistri­
butionofthedocumentation totheauthoritiesandthe
publicoftheaffectedPartyintheareaslikelytobe
affectedandforthesubmissionofcommentstothe
competentauthorityofthePartyoforigin,either
directlytothisauthorityor,whereappropriate ,through
thePartyoforiginwithinareasonabletimebeforethe
finaldecisionistakenontheproposedactivity.
Article5
Consultationsonthebasisoftheenvironmentalimpact
assessmentdocumentation
ThePartyoforiginshall,aftercompletionofthe
environmental impactassessmentdocumentation ,
withoutunduedelayenterintoconsultationswiththe
affectedPartyconcerning,interalia,thepotentialtrans­

NoC104/10 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.4.92
accountthelikelysignificantadversetransboundary
impactoftheactivityforwhichanenvironmentalimpact
assessmenthasbeenundertakenpursuanttothis
Convention .Anypost-projectanalysisundertakenshall
include,inparticular,thesurveillanceoftheactivityand
thedeterminationofanyadversetransboundary impact.
Suchsurveillanceanddetermination maybeundertaken
withaviewtoachievingtheobjectiveslistedinAppendix
V.
2.When,asaresultofpost-projectanalysis,theParty
oforiginortheaffectedPartyhasreasonablegrounds
forconcludingthatthereisasignificantadversetrans­
boundaryimpactorfactorshavebeendiscoveredwhich
mayresultinsuchanimpact,itshallimmediatelyinform
theotherParty.TheconcernedPartiesshallthenconsult
onnecessarymeasurestoreduceoreliminatetheimpact.
Article8
Bilateralandmultilateralcooperation
ThePartiesmaycontinueexistingorenterintonew
bilateralormultilateralagreementsorother
arrangements inordertoimplementtheirobligations
underthisConvention .Suchagreementsorother
arrangements maybebasedontheelementslistedin
AppendixVI.boundaryimpactoftheproposedactivityandmeasures
toreduceoreliminateitsimpact.Consultations may
relateto:
(a)possiblealternativestotheproposedactivity,
includingtheno-actionalternativeandpossible
measurestomitigatesignificantadversetrans­
boundaryimpactandtomonitortheeffectsofsuch
measuresattheexpenseofthePartyoforigin;
(b)otherformsofpossiblemutualassistanceinreducing
anysignificantadversetransboundary impactofthe
proposedactivity;and
(c)anyotherappropriatemattersrelatingtothe
proposedactivity.
ThePartiesshallagree,atthecommencement ofsuch
consultations ,onareasonabletime-frameforthe
durationoftheconsultationperiod.Anysuchconsul­
tationsmaybeconductedthroughanappropriatejoint
body,whereoneexists.
Article6
Finaldecision
1.ThePartiesshallensurethat,inthefinaldecision
ontheproposedactivity,dueaccountistakenofthe
outcomeoftheenvironmental impactassessment ,
includingtheenvironmental impactassessmentdocumen­
tation,aswellasthecommentsthereonreceived
pursuanttoArticle3(8)andArticle4(2)andthe
outcomeoftheconsultations asreferredtoinArticle5.
2.ThePartyoforiginshallprovidetotheaffected
Partythefinaldecisionontheproposedactivityalong
withthereasonsandconsiderations onwhichitwas
based.
3.Ifadditionalinformationonthesignificanttrans­
boundaryimpactofaproposedactivity,whichwasnot
availableatthetimeadecisionwasmadewithrespectto
thatactivityandwhichcouldhavemateriallyaffectedthe
decision,becomesavailabletoaconcernedPartybefore
workonthatactivitycommences ,thatPartyshall
immediatelyinformtheotherconcernedPartyorParties.
IfoneoftheconcernedPartiessorequests,consultations
shallbeheldastowhetherthedecisionneedstobe
revised.
Article7
Post-projectanalysis
1.TheconcernedParties,attherequestofanysuch
Party,shalldeterminewhether,andifsotowhatextent,
apost-projectanalysisshallbecarriedout,takingintoArticle9
Researchprogrammes
ThePartiesshallgivespecialconsiderationtothesetting
up,orintensificationof,specificresearchprogrammes
aimedat:
(a)improvingexistingqualitativeandquantitative
methodsforassessingtheimpactsofproposedacti­
vities;
(b)achievingabetterunderstanding ofcause-effect
relationshipsandtheirroleinintegratedenviron­
mentalmanagement ;
(c)analysingandmonitoringtheefficientimplemen­
tationofdecisionsonproposedactivitieswiththe
intentionofminimizingorpreventingimpacts;
(d)developingmethodstostimulatecreativeapproaches
inthesearchforenvironmentally soundalternatives
toproposedactivities,productionandconsumption
patterns;
(e)developingmethodologies fortheapplicationofthe
principlesofenvironmental impactassessmentatthe
macro-economic level.

24.4.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC104/11
Theresultsoftheprogrammeslistedaboveshallbe
exchangedbytheParties.
Article10
Statusoftheappendices
TheAppendicesattachedtothisConventionforman
integralpartoftheConvention .
Article11
MeetingofParties
1.ThePartiesshallmeet,sofaraspossible,in
connectionwiththeannualsessionsofthesenior
adviserstoECEGovernments onenvironmental and
waterproblems.ThefirstmeetingofthePartiesshallbe
convenednotlaterthanoneyearafterthedateofthe
entryintoforceofthisConvention .Thereafter,meetings
ofthePartiesshallbeheldatsuchothertimesasmaybe
deemednecessarybyameetingoftheParties,oratthe
writtenrequestofanyParty,providedthat,withinsix
monthsoftherequestbeingcommunicated tothemby
thesecretariat,itissupportedbyatleastonethirdofthe
Parties.(f)considerandundertakeanyadditionalactionthat
mayberequiredfortheachievementofthepurposes
ofthisConvention .
Article12
Righttovote
1.EachPartytothisConventionshallhaveonevote.
2.Exceptasprovidedforinparagraph 1ofthis
Article,regionaleconomicintegrationorganizations ,in
matterswithintheircompetence,shallexercisetheirright
tovotewithanumberofvotesequaltothenumberof
theirmemberStateswhicharePartiestothis
Convention .Suchorganizations shallnotexercisetheir
righttovoteiftheirmemberStatesexercisetheirs,and
viceversa.
Article13
Secretariat
TheExecutiveSecretaryoftheEconomicCommission
forEuropeshallcarryoutthefollowingsecretariat
functions :
(a)theconveningandpreparingofmeetingsofthe
Parties;
(b)thetransmissionofreportsandotherinformation
receivedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthis
ConventiontotheParties;and
(c)theperformanceofotherfunctionsasmaybe
providedforinthisConventionorasmaybe
determinedbytheParties.
Article14
Amendments totheConvention
1.AnyPartymayproposeamendments tothis
Convention .
2.Proposedamendmentsshallbesubmittedinwriting
tothesecretariat,whichshallcommunicate themtoall
Parties.Theproposedamendmentsshallbediscussedat
thenextmeetingoftheParties,providedtheseproposals
havebeencirculatedbythesecretariattothePartiesat
leastninetydaysinadvance.
3.ThePartiesshallmakeeveryefforttoreach
agreementonanyproposedamendmenttothis
Conventionbyconsensus.Ifalleffortsatconsensushave
beenexhausted,andnoagreementreached,the
amendmentshallasalastresortbeadoptedbyathree­
fourthsmajorityvoteofthePartiespresentandvotingat
themeeting.2.ThePartiesshallkeepundercontinuousreviewthe
implementation ofthisConvention,and,withthis
purposeinmind,shall:
(a)reviewthepoliciesandmethodological approaches
toenvironmental impactassessmentbytheParties
withaviewtofurtherimprovingenvironmental
impactassessmentproceduresinatransboundary
context;
(b)exchangeinformationregardingexperiencegainedin
concludingandimplementingbilateralandmultila­
terialagreementsorotherarrangementsregarding
theuseofenvironmental impactassessmentina
transboundary contexttowhichoneormoreofthe
Partiesareparty;
(c)seek,whereappropriate ,theservicesofcompetent
international bodiesandscientificcommittees in
methodological andtechnicalaspectspertinenttothe
achievementofthepurposesofthisConvention ;
(d)attheirfirstmeeting,considerandbyconsensus
adoptrulesofprocedurefortheirmeetings;
(e)considerand,wherenecessary,adoptproposalsfor
amendmentstothisConvention ;

24.4.92 NoC104/12 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
CommissionforEuropepursuanttoparagraph8ofthe
EconomicandSocialCouncilresolution36(IV)of28
March1947,andbyregionaleconomicintegration
organizationsconstitutedbysovereignStatesmembersof
theEconomicCommissionforEuropetowhichtheir
memberStateshavetransferredcompetenceinrespectof
mattersgovernedbythisConvention ,includingthe
competencetoenterintotreatiesinrespectofthese
matters .
Article17
Ratification,acceptance,approvalandaccession
1.ThisConventionshallbesubjecttoratification,
acceptanceorapprovalbysignatoryStatesandregional
economicintegrationorganizations .
2.ThisConventionshallbeopenforaccessionas
from3September1991bytheStatesandorganizations
referredtoinArticle16.4.Amendments tothisConventionadoptedin
accordancewithparagraph3ofthisArticleshallbe
submittedbythedepositarytoallPartiesforratification,
approvaloracceptance .Theyshallenterintoforcefor
Partieshavingratified,approvedoracceptedthemon
the90thdayafterthereceiptbythedepositaryofnotifi­
cationoftheirratification,approvaloracceptancebyat
leastthree-fourthsoftheseParties.Thereaftertheyshall
enterintoforceforanyotherPartyontheninetiethday
afterthatPartydepositsitsinstrumentofratification,
approvaloracceptanceoftheamendments .
5.ForthepurposeofthisArticle,'Partiespresent
voting'meansPartiespresentandcastinganaffirmative
ornegativevote.
6.Thevotingproceduresetforthinparagraph3of
thisArticleisnotintendedtoconstituteaprecedentfor
futureagreementsnegotiatedwithintheEconomic
CommissionforEurope.
Article15
Settlementofdisputes
1.IfadisputearisesbetweentwoormoreParties
abouttheinterpretation orapplicationofthis
Convention ,theyshallseekasolutionbynegotiationor
byanyothermethodofdisputesettlementacceptableto
thepartiestothedispute.
2.Whensigning,ratifying,accepting,approvingor
accedingtothisConvention,oratanytimethereafter,a
PartymaydeclareinwritingtotheDepositarythatfora
disputenotresolvedinaccordancewithparagraph 1of
thisArticle,itacceptsoneorbothofthefollowing
meansofdisputesettlementascompulsoryinrelationto
anyPartyacceptingthesameobligation:
(a)submissionofthedisputetotheInternationalCourt
ofJustice;
(b)arbitrationinaccordancewiththeproceduresetout
inAppendixVII.
3.Ifthepartiestothedisputehaveacceptedboth
meansofdisputesettlementreferrerdtoinparagraph2
ofthisArticle,thedisputemaybesubmittedonlytothe
InternationalCourtofJustice,unlessthepartiesagree
otherwise .
Article16
Signature
ThisConventionshallbeopenforsignatureatEspoo
(Finland)from25Februaryto1March1991and
thereafteratUnitedNationsHeadquarters inNewYork
until2September1991byStatesmembersofthe
EconomicCommissionforEuropeaswellasStates
havingconsultative statuswiththeEconomic3.Theinstrumentsofratification,acceptance,
approvaloraccessionshallbedepositedwiththe
Secretary-General oftheUnitedNations,whoshall
performthefunctionsofDepositary .
4.AnyorganizationreferredtoinArticle16which
becomesaPartytothisConventionwithoutanyofits
memberStatesbeingaPartyshallbeboundbyallthe
obligationsunderthisConvention .Inthecaseofsuch
organizations ,oneormoreofwhosememberStatesisa
PartytothisConvention ,theorganizationandits
memberStatesshalldecideontheirrespectiveresponsi­
bilitiesfortheperformanceoftheirobligationsunder
thisConvention .Insuchcases,theorganizationandthe
memberStatesshallnotbeentitledtoexerciserights
underthisConventionconcurrently .
5.Intheirinstrumentsofratification,acceptance,
approvaloraccession;theregionaleconomicintegration
organizationsreferredtoinArticle16shalldeclarethe
extentoftheircompetencewithrespecttothematters
governedbythisConvention .Theseorganizations shall
alsoinformtheDepositaryofanyrelevantmodification
totheextentoftheircompetence .
Article18
Entryintoforce
1.ThisConvention shallenterintoforceonthe
ninetiethdayafterthedateofdepositofthe16th
instrumentofratification,acceptance,approvalor
accession .

24.4.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC104/13
thatPartymaywithdrawfromthisConventionbygiving
writtennotificationtothedepositary .Anysuchwith­
drawalshalltakeeffectonthe90thdayafterthedateof
itsreceiptbythedepositary .Anysuchwithdrawalshall
notaffecttheapplicationofArticles3to6ofthis
Conventiontoaproposedactivityinorarequesthas
beenmadepursuanttoArticle3(7)beforesuchwith­
drawaltookeffect.2.Forthepurposesofparagraph 1ofthisArticle,any
instrumentdepositedbyaregionaleconomicintegration
organizationshallnotbecountedasadditionaltothose
depositedbyStatesmembersofsuchanorganization .
3.ForeachStateororganizationreferredtoinArticle
16whichratifies,acceptsorapprovesthisConventionor
accedestheretoafterthedepositofthesixteenth
instrumentofratification,acceptance ,approvalor
accession,thisConventionshallenterintoforceonthe
ninetiethdayafterthedateofdepositbysuchStateor
organizationofitsinstrumentofratification,acceptance,
approvaloraccession.
Article19
Withdrawal
Atanytimeafterfouryearsfromthedateonwhichthis
ConventionhascomeintoforcewithrespecttoaParty,Article20
Authentictexts
TheoriginalofthisConvention,ofwhichtheEnglish,
FrenchandRussiantextsareequallyauthentic,shallbe
depositedwiththeSecretary-General oftheUnited
Nations.
INWITNESSWHEREOFtheundersigned,beingdulyauthorizedthereto,havesignedthis
Convention .
DONEatEspoo(Finland),thistwenty-fifthdayofFebruaryonethousandninehundredand
ninety-one .

NoC104/14 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.4.92
APPENDIXI
Listofactivities
1.Crudeoilrefineries(excludingundertakingsmanufacturing onlylubricantsfromcrudeoil)andinstal­
lationsforthegasificationandliquefactionof500tonnesormoreofcoalorbituminousshaleperday.
2.Thermalpowerstationsandothercombustioninstallationswithaheatoutputof300megawattsor
moreandnuclearpowerstationsandothernuclearreactors(exceptresearchinstallationsforthe
productionandconversionoffissionableandfertilematerials,whosemaximumpowerdoesnotexceed
1kilowattcontinuousthermalload).
3.Installationsolelydesignedfortheproductionorenrichmentofnuclearfuels,forthereprocessingof
irradiatednuclearfuelsorforthestorage,disposalandprocessingofradioactivewaste.
4.Majorinstallationsfortheinitialsmeltingofcast-ironandsteelandfortheproductionofnon-ferrous
metals.
5.Installationsfortheextractionofasbestosandfortheprocessingandtransformation ofasbestosand
productscontainingasbestos:forasbestos-cement products,withanannualproductionofmorethan
20000tonnesfinishedproduct;forfrictionmaterial,withanannualproductionofmorethan50
tonnesfinishedproduct;andforotherasbestosutilizationofmorethan200tonnesperyear.
6.Integratedchemicalinstallations .
7.Constructionofmotorways,expressroadsandlinesforlong-distancerailwaytrafficandofairports
withabasicrunwaylengthof2100metresormore(').
8.Large-diameter oilandgaspipelines.
9.Tradingportsandalsoinlandwaterwaysandportsforinland-waterway trafficwhichpermitthe
passageofvesselsofover1350tonnes.
10.Waste-disposal installationsfortheincineration ,chemicaltreatmentorlandfilloftoxicanddangerous
wastes.
11.Largedamsandreservoirs .
12.Groundwater abstractionactivitiesincaseswheretheannualvolumeofwatertobeabstractedamounts
to10millioncubicmetresormore.
13.Pulpandpapermanufacturingof200air-driedmetrictonnesormoreperday.
14.Majormining,on-siteextractionandprocessingofmetaloresorcoal.
15.Offshorehydrocarbonproduction .
16.Majorstoragefacilitiesforpetroleum,petrochemicalandchemicalproducts.
17.Deforestationoflargeareas.
(')ForthepurposesofthisConvention :
—'motorway'meansaroadspeciallydesignedandbuiltformotortraffic,whichdoesnotservepropertiesbordering
onit,andwhich:
(a)isprovided,exceptatspecialpointsortemporarily,withseparatecarriagewaysforthetwodirectionsoftraffic,separatedfromeachotherbyadividingstripnotintendedfortrafficor,exceptionally ,byothermeans;
(b)doesnotcrossatlevelwithanyroad,railwayortramwaytrack,offootpath;and
(c)isspeciallysign-postedasamotorway .
—'expressroad'meansaroadreservedformotortrafficaccessibleonlyfrominterchangesorcontrolledjunctions
andonwhich,inparticular,stoppingandparkingareprohibitedontherunningcarriageway(s).

24.4.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC104/15
APPENDIXII
Contentoftheenvironmental impactassessmentdocumentation
Informationtobeincludedintheenvironmental impactassessmentdocumentation shall,asaminimum,
contain,inaccordancewithArticle4:
(a)adescription,oftheproposedactivityanditspurpose;
(b)adescription ,whereappropriate,ofreasonablealternatives(forexample,locationalortechnological )
totheproposedactivityandalsotheno-actionalternative;
(c)adescriptionoftheenvironmentlikelytobesignificantlyaffectedbytheproposedactivityandits
alternatives ;
(d)adescriptionofthepotentialenvironmental impactoftheproposedactivityanditsalternativesandan
estimationofitssignificance ;
(e)adescriptionofmitigationmeasurestokeepadverseenvironmental impacttoaminimum;
(f)anexplicitindicationofpredictivemethodsandunderlyingassumptionsaswellastherelevantenviron­
mentaldataused;
(g)anidentificationofgapsinknowledgeanduncertaintiesencounteredincompilingtherequiredinfor­
mation;
(h)whereappropriate,anoutlineformonitoringandmanagementprogrammesandanyplansforpost­
projectanalysis;and
(i)anon-technicalsummaryincludingavisualpresentationasappropriate(maps,graphs,etc.).
APPENDIXIII
Generalcriteriatoassistinthedeterminationoftheenvironmental significanceofactivitiesnotlistedin
AppendixI
1.InconsideringproposedactivitiestowhichArticle2(5)applies,theconcernedPartiesmayconsider
whethertheactivityislikelytohaveasignificantadversetransboundaryimpactinparticularbyvirtueof
oneormoreofthefollowingcriteria:
(a)Size:proposedactivitieswhicharelargeforthetypeoftheactivity;
(b)Location:proposedactivitieswhicharelocatedinorclosetoanareaofspecialenvironmental sensi­
tivityorimportance(suchaswetlandsdesignatedundertheRamsarConvention,nationalparks,
naturereserves,sitesofspecialscientificinterest,orsitesofarchaeological ,culturalorhistorical
importance);also,proposedactivitiesinlocationswherethecharacteristicsofproposeddevelopment
wouldbelikelytohavesignificanteffectsonthepopulation;
(c)Effects :proposedactivitieswithparticularlycomplexandpotentiallyadverseeffects,includingthose
givingrisetoseriouseffectsonhumansoronvaluedspeciesororganisms,thosewhichthreatenthe
existingorpotentialuseofanaffectedareaandthosecausingadditionalloadingwhichcannotbe
sustainedbvthecarryingcapacityoftheenvironment .

24.4.92 NoC104/16 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
2.TheconcernedPartiesshallconsiderforthispurposeproposedactivitieswhicharelocatedclosetoan
internationalfrontieraswellasmoreremoteproposedactivitieswhichcouldgiverisetosignificant
transboundary effectsfarremovedfromthesiteofdevelopment .
APPENDIXIV
Inquiryprocedure
1.TherequestingPartyorPartiesshallnotifythesecretariatthatitortheysubmit(s)thequestionof
whetheraproposedactivitylistedinAppendixIislikelytohaveasignificantadversetransboundary
impacttoaninquirycommissionestablishedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisAppendix .This
notificationshallstatethesubject-matter oftheinquiry.Thesecretariatshallnotifyimmediatelyall
PartiestothisConventionofthissubmission .
2.Theinquirycommissionshallconsistsofthreemembers.Boththerequestingpartyandtheotherparty
totheinquiryprocedureshallappointascientificortechnicalexpert,andthetwoexpertssoappointed
shalldesignatebycommonagreementthethirdexpert,whoshallbethepresidentoftheinquiry
commission .Thelattershallnotbeanationalofoneofthepartiestotheinquiryprocedure,norhave
hisorherusualplaceofresidenceintheterritoryofoneoftheseparties,norbeemployedbyanyof
them,norhavedealtwiththematterinanyothercapacity.
3.Ifthepresidentoftheinquirycommissionhasnotbeendesignatedwithintwomonthsofthe
appointmentofthesecondexpert,theExecutiveSecretaryoftheEconomicCommissionforEurope
shall,attherequestofeitherparty,designatethepresidentwithinafurthertwo-monthperiod.
4.Ifoneofthepartiestotheinquiryproceduredoesnotappointanexpertwithinonemonthofits
receiptofthenotificationbythesecretariat,theotherpartymayinformtheExecutiveSecretaryofthe
EconomicCommissionforEurope,whoshalldesignatethepresidentoftheinquirycommissionwithin
afurthertwo-monthperiod.Upondesignation,thepresidentoftheinquirycommissionshallrequest
thepartywhichhasnotappointedanexperttodosowithinonemonth.Aftersuchaperiod,the
presidentshallinformtheExecutiveSecretaryoftheEconomicCommissionforEurope,whoshall
makethisappointmentwithinafurthertwo-monthperiod.
5.Theinquirycommissionshalladoptitsownrulesofprocedure.
6.Theinquirycommissionmaytakeallappropriatemeasuresinordertocarryoutitsfunctions.
7.Thepartiestotheinquiryprocedureshallfacilitatetheworkoftheinquirycommissionand,in
particular,usingallmeansattheirdisposal,shall:
(a)provideitwithallrelevantdocuments,facilitiesandinformation ;and
(b)enableit,wherenecessary,tocallwitnessesorexpertsandreceivetheirevidence .
8.Thepartiesandtheexpertsshallprotecttheconfidentiality ofanyinformationtheyreceivein
confidenceduringtheworkoftheinquirycommission .
9.Ifoneofthepartiestotheinquiryproceduredoesnotappearbeforetheinquirycommissionorfailsto
presentitscase,theotherpartymayrequesttheinquirycommissiontocontinuetheproceedingsandto

24.4.92 NoC104/17 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
completeitswork.Absenceofapartyorfailureofapartytopresentitscaseshallnotconstituteabar
tothecontinuationandcompletionoftheworkoftheinquirycommission .
10.Unlesstheinquirycommissiondeterminesotherwisebecauseoftheparticularcircumstancesofthe
matter,theexpensesoftheinquirycommission ,includingtheremunerationofitsmembers,shallbe
bornebythepartiestotheinquiryprocedureinequalshares.Theinquirycommissionshallkeepa
recordofallitsexpenses,andshallfurnishafinalstatementthereoftotheparties.
11.AnyPartyhavinganinterestofafactualnatureinthesubject-matter oftheinquiryprocedure,and
whichmaybeaffectedbyanopinioninthematter,mayinterveneintheproceedingswiththeconsent
oftheinquirycommission .
12.Thedecisionsoftheinquirycommissiononmattersofprocedureshallbetakenbymajorityvoteofits
members.Thefinalopinionoftheinquirycommissionshallreflecttheviewofthemajorityofits
membersandshallincludeanydissentingview.
13.Theinquirycommissionshallpresentitsfinalopinionwithintwomonthsofthedateonwhichitwas
establishedunlessitfindsitnecessarytoextendthistimelimitforaperiodwhichshouldnotexceed
twomonths .
14.Thefinalopinionoftheinquirycommissionshallbebasedonacceptedscientificprinciples.Thefinal
opinionshallbetransmittedbytheinquirycommissiontothepartiestotheinquiryprocedureandto
thesecretariat .
APPENDIX V
Post-projectanalysis
Objectivesinclude:
(a)monitoringcompliancewiththeconditionsassetoutintheauthorizationorapprovaloftheactivity
andtheeffectivenessofmitigationmeasures;
(b)reviewofanimpactforpropermanagementandinordertocopewithuncertainties ;
(c)verificationofpastpredictionsinordertotransferexperiencetofutureactiviteisofthesametype.
APPENDIX VI
Elementsforbilateralandmultilateralcooperation
1.ConcernedPartiesmaysetup,whereappropriate ,institutionalarrangementsorenlargethemandateof
existinginstitutionalarrangementswithintheframeworkofbilateralandmultilateralagreementsin
ordertogivefulleffecttothisConvention .

OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.4.92 NoC104/18
2.Bilateralandmultilateralagreementsorotherarrangementsmayinclude:
(a)anyadditionalrequirementsfortheimplementation ofthisConvention,takingintoaccountthe
specificconditionsofthesubregionconcerned;
(b)institutional ,administrative andotherarrangements ,tobemadeonareciprocalandequivalent
basis;
(c)harmonization oftheirpoliciesandmeasuresfortheprotectionoftheenvironmentinorderto
attainthegreatestpossiblesimilarityinstandardsandmethodsrelatedtotheimplementation of
environmental impactassessment;
(d)developing,improving,and/orharmonizingmethodsfortheidentification ,measurement ,prediction
andassessmentofimpacts,andforpost-projectanalysis;
(e)developingand/orimprovingmethodsandprogrammesforthecollection,analysis,storageand
timelydisseminationofcomparabledataregardingenvironmental qualityinordertoprovideinput
intoenvironmental impactassessment ;
(f)theestablishmentofthresholdlevelsandmorespecifiedcriteriafordefiningthesignificanceof
transboundary impactsrelatedtothelocation,natureorsizeofproposedactivities,forwhich
environmental impactassessmentinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisConventionshallbe
applied;andtheestablishmentofcriticalloadsoftransboundary pollution;
(g)undertaking,whereappropriate,jointenvironmental impactassessment,developmentofjointmoni­
toringprogrammes ,intercalibration ofmonitoringdevicesandharmonization ofmethodologies
withaviewtorenderingthedataandinformationobtainedcompatible .
APPENDIX VII
Arbitration
1.TheclaimantPartyorPartiesshallnotifythesecretariatthatthePartieshaveagreedtosubmitthe
disputetoarbitrationpursuanttoArticle15(2)ofthisConvention .Thenotificationshallstatethe
subject-matterofarbitrationandinclude,inparticular,theArticlesofthisConvention ,theinterpre­
tationorapplicationofwhichareatissue.Thesecretariatshallforwardtheinformationreceivedtoall
PartiestothisConvention .
2.Thearbitraltribunalshallconsistofthreemembers.BoththeclaimantPartyorPartiesandtheother
PartyorPartiestothedisputeshallappointanarbitrator,andthetwoarbitratorssoappointedshall
designatebycommonagreementthethirdarbitrator,whoshallbethepresidentofthearbitraltribunal.
Thelattershallnotbeanationalofoneofthepartiestothedispute,norhavehisorherusualplaceof
residenceintheterritoryofoneoftheseparties,norbeemployedbyanyofthem,norhavedealtwith
thecaseinanyothercapacity.
3.Ifthepresidentofthearbitraltribunalhasnotbeendesignatedwithintwomonthsoftheappointment
ofthesecondarbitrator,theExecutiveSecretaryoftheEconomicCommissionforEuropeshall,atthe
requestofeitherpartytothedispute,designatethepresidentwithinafurthertwo-monthperiod.
4.Ifoneofthepartiestothedisputedoesnotappointanarbitratorwithintwomonthsofthereceiptof
therequest,theotherpartymayinformtheExecutiveSecretaryoftheEconomicCommissionfor
Europe,whoshalldesignatethepresidentofthearbitraltribunalwithinafurthertwo-monthperiod.
Upondesignation ,thepresidentofthearbitraltribunalshallrequestthepartywhichhasnotappointed

24.4.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC104/19
anarbitratortodosowithintwomonths.Aftersuchaperiod,thepresidentshallinformtheExecutive
SecretaryoftheEconomicCommissionforEurope,whoshallmakethisappointmentwithinafurther
two-monthperiod.
5.Thearbitraltribunalshallrenderitsdecisioninaccordancewithinternational lawandinaccordance
withtheprovisionsofthisConvention .
6.Anyarbitraltribunalconstitutedundertheprovisionssetouthereinshalldrawupitsownrulesof
procedure .
7.Thedecisionsofthearbitraltribunal,bothonprocedureandonsubstance,shallbetakenmymajority
voteofitsmembers .
8.Thetribunalmaytakeallappropriatemeasuresinordertoestablishthefacts.
9.Thepartiestothedisputeshallfacilitatetheworkofthearbitraltribunaland,inparticular,usingall
meansattheirdisposal,shall:
(a)provideitwithallrelevantdocuments,facilitiesandinformation ;and
(b)enableit,wherenecessary,tocallwitnessesorexpertsandreceivetheirevidence.
10.Thepartiesandthearbitratorsshallprotecttheconfidentiality ofanyinformationtheyreceivein
confidenceduringtheproceedingsofthearbitraltribunal.
11.Thearbitraltribunalmay,attherequestofoneoftheparties,recommendmeasuresofprotection .
12.Ifoneofthepartiestothedisputedoesnotappearbeforethearbitraltribunalorfailstodefendits
case,theotherpartymayrequestthetribunaltocontinuetheproceedingsandtorenderitsfinal
decision.Absenceofapartyorfailureofapartytodefenditscaseshallnotconstituteabartothe
proceedings .Beforerenderingitsfinaldecision,thearbitraltribunalmustsatisfyitselfthattheclaimis
wellfoundedinfactandlaw.
13.Thearbitraltribunalmayhearanddeterminecounter-claims arisingdirectlyoutofthesubject-matter
ofthedispute.
14.Unlessthearbitraltribunaldeterminesotherwisebecauseoftheparticularcircumstancesofthecase,
theexpensesofthetribunal,includingtheremunerationofitsmembers,shallbebornebythepartiesto
thedisputeinequalshares.Thetribunalshallkeeparecordofallitsexpenses,andshallfurnishafinal
statementthereoftotheparties.
15.AnyPartytothisConventionhavinganinterestofalegalnatureinthesubject-matterofthedispute,
andwhichmaybeaffectedbyadecisioninthecase,mayinterveneintheproceedingswiththeconsent
ofthetribunal .
16.Thearbitraltribunalshallrenderitsawardwithinfivemonthsofthedateonwhichitisestablished
unlessitfindsitnecessarytoextendthetimelimitforaperiodwhichshouldnotexceedfivemonths.
17.Theawardofthearbitraltribunalshallbeaccompaniedbyastatementofreasons.Itshallbefinaland
bindinguponallpartiestothedispute.Theawardwillbetransmittedbythearbitraltribunaltothe
partiestothedisputeandtothesecretariat.Thesecretariatwillforwardtheinformationreceivedtoall
PartiestothisConvention .
18.Anydisputewhichmayarisebetweenthepartiesconcerningtheinterpretationorexecutionofthe
awardmaybesubmittedbyeitherpartytothearbitraltribunalwhichmadetheawardor,ifthelatter
cannotbeseizedthereof,toanothertribunalconstitutedforthispurposeinthesamemannerasthe
first.