Source: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/Riigikogu/act/520012015014/consolide
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 14:50:53+00:00

Document:
Entry into force 03.04.2005, in part in accordance with § 71.
22.04.2010 RT I 2010, 22, 108 01.01.2011, will enter into force on the date specified in the decision of the Council of the European Union regarding the abrogation of the derogation established in favour of the Republic of Estonia on the ground provided for in Article 140(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Decision No. 2010/416/EU of the Council of the European Union of 13 July 2010 (OJ L 196, 28.07.2010, pp. 24 26).
(1) This Act provides legal grounds and procedure for the assessment of likely environmental impact, organisation of the environmental management and audit scheme and legal grounds for awarding the eco-label in order to prevent environmental damage and establishes liability for violation of the requirements of this Act.
(2) The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to the administrative proceedings specified in this Act, taking account of the specifications provided for in this Act. Provisions concerning open proceedings apply to environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment procedures, taking account of the specifications provided for in this Act.
3) a strategic planning document if the activity proposed on the basis thereof are co-financed from the Structural Funds of the European Union or the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund between 2004 and 2006.
3) allow the results of environmental impact assessment to be taken into account in development consent proceedings.
2) if an activity is proposed, which alone or in conjunction with other activities may potentially significantly affect a Natura 2000 site.
For the purposes of this Act, ‘environmental impact’ means any potential direct or indirect impact of an activity on human health and well-being, the environment, cultural heritage or property.
Environmental impact is significant if it may potentially exceed the environmental capacity of a site, cause irreversible changes to the environment, endanger human health and well-being, the environment, cultural heritage or property.
35) changes in an activity specified in clauses 1)-341) of this subsection and subsection (2) of this section or to an installation, or expansion or reconstruction of a building if this is in compliance with the provisions of this subsection or if the activity or installation, as a result of the changes, or the building, as a result of expansion or reconstruction, is in compliance with the provisions of this subsection as a whole.
22) another activity which may result in significant environmental impact.
5) the magnitude, spatial extent, duration, frequency and reversibility, effect and cumulativeness of the impact resulting from that specified in clauses 1) to 41) of this subsection and the transboundary impact and the probability of the impact.
(4) A detailed list of areas of activity specified in subsection (2) of this section will be established by a regulation of the Government of the Republic.
4) other documents not specified in this section permitting the proposed activity with potentially significant environmental impact.
(1) A person who proposes an activity and intends to carry it out will organise environmental impact assessment (hereinafter developer).
(2) The developer covers the expenses related to environmental impact assessment.
The decision-maker is the issuer of development consent.
(1) If the Government of the Republic or the Ministry of the Environment is the issuer of development consent or if the significant environmental impact expected to arise from an activity may be transboundary, the Ministry of the Environment will act as the supervisor of environmental impact assessment.
(2) In the events not specified in subsection (1) of this section the Environmental Board acts as the supervisor of environmental impact assessment.
8) to ex-post evaluate the environmental impact assessment.
(4) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment who approved the environmental impact assessment programme performs the duties of the supervisor until the end of the ex-post evaluation.
(1) The developer will submit to the decision-maker an application for development consent in the events and in accordance with the procedure provided for in legislation.
(2) The decision-maker will review an application and make a decision to initiate or refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity within the period for the processing of applications provided for in legislation.
(3) In the event of an activity specified in subsection 6 (1) of this Act, environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity will be initiated without providing the reasons therefor.
(4) If a decision to initiate or refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity is made on the basis of subsection 6 (2) of this Act, the results of the preliminary estimate concerning all the criteria listed in subsection 6 (3) of this Act will be appended to the decision.
(6) If the planned activity potentially results in significant environmental impact, the decision-maker will not initiate the environmental impact assessment of the planned activity if the environmental impact has already been assessed in the course of strategic environmental assessment related to the implementation of a strategic planning document serving as the basis for the assessed activity, in the course of preparation of building design documentation or in the course of processing other development consent required for the planned activity, provided that the decision-maker has sufficient information for granting the development consent and, according to the decision-maker, the environmental impact of the activity has already been adequately assessed.
(61) An administrative authority may refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment if an application for development consent is clearly without perspective and the administrative authority refuses to satisfy the application without conducting open proceedings on the basis of subsection 46 (3) of the Administrative Procedure Act.
(7) If an application for two or more development consents required for the proposed activity is submitted to one decision-maker, the decision-maker may join the proceedings regarding environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity with the consent of the developer, unless this violates the rights of third parties.
(71) Only one environmental impact assessment is initiated in the proceedings of an application for the same development consent.
6) information on the necessary environmental research.
(9) The decision-maker may submit a decision to refuse initiation of environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity as one part of the decision to refuse to grant development consent.
(10) If the proposed activity may potentially affect Natura 2000 sites, protected areas, special conservation areas, species protection sites, habitats of protected species or individual protected natural objects, the decision-maker will obtain approval for the draft decision to refuse initiation of environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity with the manager of the specified protected natural object.
(11) If environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity is initiated, the processing of an application for development consent will be suspended until the environmental impact assessment report is approved.
(12) Before the submission of an application for development consent, the developer may address the decision-maker to obtain an opinion concerning the type of information the developer will be asked to present in the course of the environmental impact assessment. Before providing an opinion, the agency whom the developer addressed must consult with the developer, the supervisor of environmental impact assessment and the agencies that, due to their functions related to the protection and use of the environment, are likely to be connected with the proposed activity at a later time. Provision of an opinion does not prevent the supervisor of environmental impact assessment from demanding further additional information in the course of the environmental impact assessment.
3) notify participants in proceedings of refusal to initiate environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter and at the expense of the developer in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded within 14 days after the decision to refuse initiation of environmental impact assessment is made if the grant of or refusal to grant development consent is not publicly announced.
(2) Upon granting a building permit or a permit of use of a building, a notice of refusal to initiate environmental impact assessment will be given through the national register of construction works.
5) the time and place for accessing the decision to initiate or refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity.
6) information on the developer and the name of the expert or the composition of the expert group.
(1) Environmental impact will be assessed or environmental impact assessment will be directed by a natural person who holds a licence for environmental impact assessment, or a legal person through an employee holding a relevant licence (hereinafter expert).
(2) If environmental impact is assessed or environmental impact assessment is directed by a legal person through an employee holding a relevant licence, the legal person will be responsible for compliance with the requirements for environmental impact assessment and the results of environmental impact assessment.
(3) An expert has the right to form an expert group for environmental impact assessment which may comprise competent persons without a relevant licence.
(4) An expert must involve specialists in environmental impact assessment if the qualifications of the expert are not sufficient for environmental impact assessment.
(5) An expert must be impartial and independent upon environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity.
5) has paid the state fee.
4) a confirmation that training related to environmental impact assessment has been completed and an examination in environmental impact assessment has been passed and a confirmation regarding participation in the work of an expert group.
(4) The minister responsible for the field will grant a licence to the applicant for five years and determine the fields of activity and areas of impact which the holder of the licence may assess based on the information set out in the application and based on the qualifications of the applicant. The period of validity of the licence begins on the date of granting the licence.
(5) Before application for the licence or application for the extension of the licence, an applicant for the licence must pay the state fee in the amount provided by the State Fees Act.
6) the seal of the Ministry of the Environment bearing the small national coat of arms.
(7) The granting of a licence will be refused if the applicant does not comply with the qualification requirements specified in clauses 1)-4) of subsection (1) of this section or has failed to pay the state fee.
(8) In order to extend the validity of a licence, a person must submit a written application in a free form. The validity of a licence will be extended if the applicant has participated in environmental impact assessment as an expert at least four times during the term of the licence.
4) the holder of the licence has provided incorrect assessment in the environmental impact assessment report, and also if the results of the ex-post evaluation of environmental impact assessment significantly differ from the assessment provided in the environmental impact assessment report.
(10) Before making a decision concerning the suspension or revocation of a licence, the holder of the licence or a representative of the holder will be heard. The holder of the licence or the representative of the holder will be notified of the time and place determined therefor at least seven days in advance. If the holder of the licence or the representative of the holder fails to appear, the decision may be made by default.
(11) If the validity of a licence is suspended, the person must undergo in-service training in environmental impact assessment to the extent of at least 40 hours and pass a corresponding examination. The person may continue the activity on the basis of the licence if the minister responsible for the field has revoked their decision to suspend the validity of the licence. The minister responsible for the field will revoke their decision to suspend the validity of the licence if the person has undergone in-service training in environmental impact assessment to the extent of at least 40 hours, passed a corresponding examination and presented a document which proves this.
(12) If a person has failed to undergo in-service training in environmental impact assessment or to pass a corresponding examination during the period when the validity of the licence is suspended or if the circumstances which served as the basis for suspension of the validity of the licence appear within three years after the revocation of the decision to suspend the validity of the licence or for the third time, the minister responsible for the field will revoke the licence.
(13) Upon revocation of a licence, the minister responsible for the field will designate a term for termination of the activity permitted by the licence.
(14) The licence form and the application form will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(1) The decision-maker will organise a public display of an environmental impact assessment programme with the duration of not less than 14 days. Thereafter the developer will organise a public consultation in order to inform the public of the programme.
2) in one national newspaper or one local or county newspaper.
3) in at least one public building or place of the location of the proposed activity (e.g. shop, library, school, bus stop).
7) other parties to the proceedings.
5) the time and place for the public consultation regarding the programme.
(5) Everyone has the right to access an environmental impact assessment programme and other relevant documents at the time of the public display of and the public consultation regarding the programme, submit proposals, objections and questions regarding the programme and obtain responses thereto.
(6) The decision-maker will publish an environmental impact assessment programme, inter alia, on its webpage and ensure to the public the possibility to examine the programme at least until the end of the term for submission of proposals, objections and questions.
(1) An agency to whom, during the public display of an environmental impact assessment programme, proposals, objections and questions were submitted regarding the programme will forward the specified proposals, objections and questions to the developer.
(2) An expert or, under the supervision of the expert, an expert group will, together with the developer, make, on the basis of the proposals and objections submitted regarding the programme, the necessary amendments to the programme made during the public display of the environmental impact assessment programme, explain why proposals and objections are taken account of and state the reasons why they are not taken account of and respond to the questions.
(3) The developer will send to a person who submitted proposals, objections and questions regarding an environmental impact assessment programme an explanation why the submitted proposals and objections are taken account of and state the reasons why they are not taken account of and respond to the questions by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter.
(1) The developer will submit an environmental impact assessment programme together with the proposals, objections and questions submitted regarding the programme, copies of letters specified in subsection 17 (3) of this Act and report of the public consultation after the public consultation regarding the programme to the supervisor of environmental impact assessment for approval.
(2) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will decide to approve or refuse approval of an environmental impact assessment programme within 30 days after receipt of the documents specified in subsection (1) of this section and will inform the developer and the decision-maker thereof.
5) the programme is not appropriate and sufficient to assess environmental impact of the proposed activity.
4) the programme must be corrected or modified.
(5) The developer will submit an environmental impact assessment programme to the supervisor of environmental impact assessment for approval after the supplementary publication or amendment of the programme or after supplementary responses have been sent to the person who submitted proposals, objections or questions regarding the programme.
(6) With the consent of the supervisor of environmental impact assessment, reasoned amendments may be made to an approved environmental impact assessment programme. The provisions concerning open proceedings do not apply to the amendment of an approved programme.
(7) If the developer fails to submit an environmental impact assessment report to the decision-maker for a public display within two years after approval of the environmental impact assessment programme, the programme will expire and a new programme must be prepared in order to assess the environmental impact.
(1) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will notify the parties to proceedings of approval of an environmental impact assessment programme by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter and at the expense of the developer in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded within 14 days after the decision to approve the programme is made.
3) the time and place for accessing the environmental impact assessment programme and a decision to approve it.
17) discusses other appendices, if necessary.
(2) If necessary, detailed requirements for an environmental impact assessment report may be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(3) Upon assessment of environmental impact, the recognised knowledge of environmental impact assessment and methods of assessment must be taken account of.
An environmental impact assessment report is published and the results of publication are taken into account in accordance with the procedure provided for in §§ 16 and 17 of this Act.
(1) The developer will submit an environmental impact assessment report in two original copies to the supervisor of environmental impact assessment for approval and determination of environmental requirements after the public consultation regarding the report.
(2) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will inform the developer and the decision-maker of a decision to approve the environmental impact assessment report and determination of environmental requirements or refusal to approve the report and, upon approval of the report, will forward one original copy of the report within 30 days as of the receipt of the report to the decision-maker.
6) refusal to take account of proposals and objections submitted regarding the report is not sufficiently reasoned.
(4) The procedure for inspection of the quality of environmental impact assessment report and the proceedings regarding environmental impact assessment will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
4) the report must be corrected or modified.
(6) The developer will submit an environmental impact assessment report to the supervisor of environmental impact assessment for approval after the supplementary publication or amendment of the report or after supplementary responses are sent to the person who submitted proposals, objections or questions regarding the report.
(7) Environmental requirements are measures the purpose of determination of which is to prevent or minimise the potential negative environmental impact arising from the proposed activities.
(9) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will preserve the approved environmental impact assessment report for at least five years after receipt of the report.
The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will give notice of the approval of an environmental impact assessment report and of the determination of environmental requirements in accordance with the procedure provided for in § 19 of this Act.
(1) Upon making a decision to grant or refuse to grant development consent, the decision-maker will take account of the results of environmental impact assessment and the environmental requirements appended to the report.
(2) If, upon making a decision to grant or refuse to grant development consent, the decision-maker fails to take account of the results of environmental impact assessment and the environmental requirements appended to the report, the decision-maker must state the reasons in the decision to grant or refuse to grant the development consent.
(3) Development consent will not be issued if the developer is not able to comply with the determined environmental requirements.
(1) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will carry out the ex-post evaluation of environmental impact assessment on the basis of the results of environmental monitoring.
(2) The decision-maker is required to forward the results of environmental monitoring within 30 days after receipt of the results to the supervisor of environmental impact assessment for ex-post evaluation.
(3) If it becomes evident in the course of ex-post evaluation that the results of environmental monitoring do not comply with the requirements provided for in legislation or the development consent, the decision-maker will amend the conditions of the development consent on the basis of a proposal of the supervisor of environmental impact assessment.
(1) In addition to the provisions of § 3 of this Act, the environmental impact of the proposed activity may be assessed in the course of preparation of building design documentation in accordance with the procedure provided for in this Act, taking account of the specifications arising from this section.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the decision-maker is the issuer of development consent upon application for which building design documentation specified in subsection (1) of this section must, inter alia, be submitted.
(3) The developer will notify the decision-maker of the intention to assess environmental impact of the proposed activities in the course of preparation of building design documentation, after which the decision-maker will initiate the environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity.
(4) An environmental impact assessment report is a separate part of building design documentation.
(1) In addition to the provisions of § 3 of this Act, environmental impact of termination of mining of mineral resources may be assessed in the course of preparation of the project to terminate the mining of mineral resources in accordance with the procedure provided for in this Act, taking account of the specifications arising from this section.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the developer is the holder of an extraction permit for mineral resources.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the decision-maker is the issuer of an extraction permit for mineral resources.
(4) The developer will notify the decision-maker of the intention to terminate mining of mineral resources after which the decision-maker will make a decision to initiate or refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment of proposed activities in accordance with the procedure provided for in § 11 of this Act.
(5) An environmental impact assessment report is a separate part of a project to terminate the mining of mineral resources.
(6) The supervisor of environmental impact assessment will notify the developer and decision-maker of a decision to approve or refuse to approve the environmental impact assessment report by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter within 30 days after receipt of the report and send one original copy of the report to the decision-maker.
(7) The decision-maker will determine the environmental requirements to prevent or minimise negative environmental impact involved in terminating the mining of mineral resources.
(1) In addition to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the environmental impact of the closure of a landfill may be assessed in the course of preparation of the project to close the landfill in accordance with the procedure provided for in this Act, taking account of the specifications arising from this section.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the developer is the operator of a landfill to be closed.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the decision-maker is the Environmental Board.
(4) The developer will forward an application for the closure of a landfill to the decision-maker on the basis of which the decision-maker will decide to initiate or refuse to initiate the environmental impact assessment of the closure of the landfill in accordance with the procedure provided for in § 11 of this Act.
(5) Upon preparation of a project to close a landfill, the results of environmental impact assessment and the environmental requirements determined must be taken into account.
2) the supervisor of environmental impact assessment will send the environmental impact assessment report and the draft decision to approve the report and determine environmental requirements to the manager of the specified protected natural object for approval.
(2) Development consent may be granted if permitted by the protection procedure of Natura 2000 sites and the decision-maker is convinced that the proposed activity does not have a negative impact on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site or on the purpose of protection thereof.
(3) If, regardless of the potential significant negative impact of the proposed activities on a Natura 2000 site, the activity is still necessary for the public for vital and especially urgent reasons, including social or economic reasons, and because of the lack of alternative solutions, development consent may be granted with the consent of the Government of the Republic. If development consent is granted, an obligation to take compensatory measures must be imposed. The Ministry of the Environment will inform the European Commission of the taken compensatory measures immediately after the development consent has been granted. The activities specified in the development consent must not be commenced before the taking of compensatory measures.
(4) If the proposed activity potentially impacts a priority natural habitat type or priority species present within a Natura 2000 site within the meaning of Council Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.07.1992, pp. 7–50) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, the Government of the Republic may grant development consent only if the proposed activity is related to human health, environmental safety or a significant positive impact on the state of the environment. In the event of other public priority reasons, development consent may be issued only after obtaining the opinion of the European Commission.
(1) The Republic of Estonia will participate in environmental impact assessment in transboundary context originating in the territory of another state and environmental impact assessment in transboundary context originating in the territory of the Republic of Estonia will be organised in accordance with the procedure provided for in international agreements, Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context (RT II 2000, 28, 169) and this Act, taking account of the specifications arising from this section.
(2) If the proposed activity potentially results in significant environmental impact which may be transboundary and the decision-maker initiates environmental impact assessment, the decision-maker must immediately notify the Ministry of the Environment thereof.
(3) If the potentially significant environmental impact of a proposed activity is likely to be transboundary or if the affected state so requests, the Ministry of the Environment will give the affected state, as soon as possible, but no later than when the decision-maker gives a notice of the initiation of the environmental impact assessment in Estonia, a notice concerning the initiation of environmental impact assessment together with the description of the proposed activity and information concerning the transboundary impact potentially accompanying the proposed activity. The affected state will be given at least 30 days as of the date of receipt of the notice concerning the initiation of environmental impact assessment to respond to the notice.
3) information concerning the assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed activity and the processing of the application for development consent.
(41) Subsections (5) to (8) of this section do not apply upon assessment of environmental impact if the affected state fails to respond to the notice concerning the initiation of the environmental impact assessment during the term specified in subsection (3) of this section, or does not wish to participate in the procedure for assessing the environmental impact.
(5) If the affected state so requests, the Ministry of the Environment will forward the draft environmental impact assessment programme and report to the affected state as soon as possible but not later than when the public display of the programme or report commences in the Republic of Estonia. The notice on making the programme or report public must contain at least the information specified in subsection 16 (4) of this Act.
(6) At the request of the affected state, its representative is permitted to participate in environmental impact assessment proceedings and consultations will be commenced concerning environmental impact resulting from proposed activities and the measures for the mitigation or prevention of such impact.
4) the drafts of the decisions which must be submitted to the affected state for obtaining an opinion.
(71) If the Ministry of the Environment and the affected state agree that also the drafts for the decisions to grant or refuse to grant development consent and the draft of the development consent must be submitted to the affected state for obtaining an opinion, the decision-maker will send the drafts of such documents after preparation thereof to the Ministry of the Environment who will forward them to the affected state for obtaining an opinion. The affected state will be given at least 30 days to express an opinion. In making the decision, the decision-maker must consider the opinion of the affected state.
(8) The decision-maker must promptly inform the Ministry of the Environment of granting or refusing to grant development consent necessary for the activities with transboundary environmental impact. The Ministry of the Environment will notify the state which participated in environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context of granting or refusing to grant development consent necessary for the activities with significant transboundary environmental impact and will forward the decision to grant or refuse to grant the development consent to the state.
(9) The Ministry of the Environment will notify the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates of its intention to participate in environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context and of the need for consultations within 30 days after the receipt of the notice. The Ministry of the Environment will give a notice of the publication of the documents on environmental impact assessment through the publications specified in subsection 16 (2) of this Act and by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter to persons whose rights the proposed activity may concern in the Republic of Estonia. The Ministry of the Environment will send the proposals and objections submitted regarding the documents on environmental impact assessment to the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates.
3) a plan, programme or strategy the obligation of drawing up of which arises from a law or another legislative act issued on the basis of an authority-delegating provision contained in a law and which is drawn up or established by an administrative authority or drawn up by an administrative authority and adopted by the Riigikogu, the Government of the Republic or another administrative authority.
7) publication of the decision to adopt the strategic planning document.
4) is the basis for an activity which is likely to significantly affect a Natura 2000 site.
2) an activity for which development consent is required is proposed in the strategic planning document not specified in subsection (1) of this section.
3) the opinion of the authority specified in subsection (6) of this section.
5) the relevance of the strategic planning document, including a strategic planning document relating to waste management and water protection, for the implementation of EU legislation on the environment.
5) the impact on areas or landscapes which have a protection status.
(6) Upon deciding on the need for the strategic assessment of the environmental impact arising from the implementation of a strategic planning document specified in subsection (2) of this section, the Environmental Board and all other authorities concerned by the potential environmental impact arising from the implementation of the strategic planning document must be asked for an opinion before making a decision. Depending on the nature of the strategic planning document, the authorities specified in the previous sentence include, among others, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs and governmental authorities in their area of government, the county government, the local authority body, and other relevant authorities and agencies.
(1) The authority responsible for the preparation of a strategic planning document will initiate and be responsible for carrying out the strategic environmental assessment, and cover the expenses related thereto.
(2) The public display of and public consultation regarding a strategic environmental assessment programme and report will be organised and the report will be submitted for approval by the person who prepared the strategic planning document.
4) knows the principles of and procedure for strategic environmental assessment and the legislation concerning the assessment.
(4) The expert will prepare the strategic environmental assessment programme and report in cooperation with the person preparing the strategic planning document.
(5) The person who prepares the strategic planning document may perform the functions of an expert if the person complies with the qualification requirements for experts.
(1) The authority responsible for the preparation of a strategic planning document will initiate a strategic environmental assessment at the same time with the initiation of the preparation of the strategic planning document.
(2) A strategic environmental assessment will be initiated without providing justification therefor upon initiation of the preparation of a strategic planning document specified in subsection 33 (1) of this Act.
(3) If a strategic environmental assessment is initiated upon initiation of the preparation of a strategic planning document specified in subsection 33 (2) of this Act, a statement of the relevant reasons will be appended to the decision to initiate.
6) the date and place for accessing the decision to initiate the preparation of the strategic planning document and the decision to initiate or not require the strategic environmental assessment.
(6) A decision to initiate or not require the strategic environmental assessment will be given notice of in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded and in at least one national newspaper or one local newspaper and by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter to an authority specified in subsection 33 (6) of this section within 14 days after making the decision.
(7) A notice of initiation of or not requiring the strategic environmental assessment must set out at least the information specified in subsection (5) of this section.
(1) After a strategic environmental assessment is initiated, an expert on strategic environmental assessment will, in cooperation with the person preparing a strategic planning document, prepare a strategic environmental assessment programme.
6) describe the opinions submitted by authorities and persons specified in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) Upon preparing a strategic environmental assessment programme, the person who organises the preparation of a strategic planning document or the person who prepares a strategic planning document must ask for an opinion on the contents of the programme from an authority specified in subsection 33 (6) of this Act, sending the draft strategic environmental assessment programme to the authority so that the latter can express its opinion.
(1) The person who prepares a strategic planning document will give notice of the public display of and public consultations regarding the strategic environmental assessment programme in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded, in a newspaper and on its webpage and electronically or by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter to the authorities and persons specified in clause 36 (2) 3) of this Act, the organisation uniting non-governmental environmental organisations and agencies and persons specified in subsection 36 (3) of this Act.
7) the prognosis as to whether transboundary environmental impact could exist.
(3) The public display of a strategic environmental assessment programme and the public consultation regarding the programme thereafter will be organised by the person who prepared the strategic planning document. The programme will be displayed publicly for not less than 14 days.
(4) Everyone has the right to access a strategic environmental assessment programme and other documents on the environmental impact resulting from the implementation of the strategic planning document at the time of the public display of and the public consultation regarding the programme, to submit proposals, objections and questions regarding the programme and obtain responses thereto.
(5) A person who prepared a strategic planning document will, in cooperation with the expert, make the necessary amendments to the strategic environmental assessment programme on the basis of the proposals and objections submitted at the time of the public display and the public consultation. Taking account of the proposals and objections will be described and refusal to take account of the proposals and objections will be reasoned in the amended programme or an annex thereto. Written questions will be responded to by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter.
(1) If the potential environmental impact arising from the implementation of a strategic planning document may be transboundary, the Ministry of the Environment will exercise supervision over the strategic assessment of the environmental impact arising from the implementation of the strategic planning document and, in other events, the Environmental Board will exercise supervision.
5) verification of compliance of an expert with the requirements provided for in subsection 34 (3) of this Act.
(1) A person who prepared a strategic planning document will, after the public consultations regarding the strategic environmental assessment programme, submit the programme together with proposals, objections and questions submitted regarding the programme, explanations for taking account of the proposals, objections and questions, reasons for refusal to take account of the proposals, objections and questions and the minutes of the public consultation regarding the programme to the supervisor of strategic environmental assessment for approval.
(2) The supervisor of strategic environmental assessment will decide to approve or refuse to approve a strategic environmental assessment programme and will inform the person who prepared the strategic planning document of the decision by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter within 14 days after receipt of the documents specified in subsection (1) of this section.
4) the programme has been prepared by an expert who does not comply with the requirements provided for in subsection 34 (3) of this Act.
(1) A strategic environmental assessment report is part of a strategic planning document, which contains information specified in subsections (2)-(4) of this section.
(2) Upon strategic environmental assessment, it is required to explain, describe and assess the significant environmental impact resulting from implementation of the strategic planning document and the main alternative measures, activities and tasks, having regard to the objectives and territory of the strategic planning document.
3) the extent to which certain matters are more appropriately assessed at different levels of strategic planning in order to avoid duplication of the assessment.
17) the proposals, objections and questions of authorities and persons, and an overview of the reasons for taking account of or refusal to take account of the proposals, objections and questions.
3) the public display of the strategic environmental assessment of a detailed plan specified in subsection 19 (1) of the Planning Act must last for at least 14 days.
(1) A person who prepares a strategic planning document will, after the public consultation regarding the strategic environmental assessment report, submit the report together with proposals and objections submitted regarding the report, explanations for taking account of the proposals and objections, reasons for refusal to take account of the proposals or objections and the minutes of the public consultation regarding the report to supervisor of the strategic environmental assessment for approval.
(2) The supervisor of strategic environmental assessment will decide to approve the strategic environmental assessment programme and take the monitoring measures of environmental impact resulting from implementation of the strategic planning document, or refuse approval of the strategic environmental assessment report and will inform the person who prepared the strategic planning document of the decision by sending an unregistered letter or a registered letter within 30 days after receipt of the documents specified in subsection (1) of this section.
6) the person who prepared the strategic planning document has not provided sufficient reasons for refusal to take account of proposals and objections submitted regarding the report.
(4) The objective of approval of the monitoring measures is to identify at an early stage the significant negative environmental impact resulting from the implementation of a strategic planning document, and to be able to take measures for the prevention and mitigation of such impact.
(5) The approved monitoring measures are mandatory to the person implementing a strategic planning document. Upon carrying out monitoring, the existing environmental monitoring system or monitoring proposed for monitoring the environmental impact arising from the implementation of the strategic planning document may be used. Monitoring may be carried out in the course of the activities proposed on the basis of one or several strategic planning documents.
3) the results of transboundary consultations.
3) the affected state which participated in transboundary consultations.
5) a description of the measures proposed for the monitoring of potential significant environmental impact resulting from implementation of the strategic planning document.
2) the person who prepared the strategic planning document will send the strategic environmental assessment report to the manager of the specified site for approval.
(2) A strategic planning document may be established if permitted by the protection procedure of Natura 2000 sites and the person who established the strategic planning document is convinced that the proposed activities do not have a negative impact on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site or on the purpose of protection thereof.
(3) If, regardless of the potential negative impact resulting from implementation of a strategic planning document on a Natura 2000 site, the activity is still necessary for the public due to vital reasons, including social or economic reasons, and due to lack of alternative solutions, the strategic planning document may be established with the consent of the Government of the Republic. Upon establishment of a strategic planning document, an obligation to take compensatory measures must be imposed.
(4) If the strategic planning document potentially impact a priority natural habitat type or priority species present in a Natura 2000 site within the meaning of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, the Government of the Republic may grant consent only if it is related to human health, environmental safety or a significant positive impact on the state of the environment. In the event of other public priority reasons, a strategic planning document may be established only after obtaining the opinion of the European Commission.
(1) This section applies if implementation of a strategic planning document is likely to have significant impact on the environment of another state or if applied for by a state which is likely to be significantly affected.
(2) If it becomes evident upon preparation of a strategic environmental assessment programme that implementation of a strategic planning document is likely to have significant impact on the environment of another state, the Ministry of the Environment will send a notice to the affected state as soon as possible or at least at the same time when the publication of the programme is organised in the Republic of Estonia.
4) the term for responding to the notice and submission of comments.
(4) The Ministry of the Environment will notify the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates of its intention to participate in the strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context and of the need for consultations within 30 days after the receipt of the notice. The Ministry of the Environment will give notice of the publication of the documents on strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context in the manner specified in subsection 37 (1) of this Act and will send the proposals and objections submitted regarding the documents on the strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context to the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates.
2) the affected state is allowed to participate in the strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context, and consultations on the environmental impact and the measures for the mitigation and offsetting of such impact are commenced before the establishment of the strategic planning document.
(6) During consultations specified in subsection (5) of this section, the competent authorities of states will ensure that the public and authorities of the state which is likely to be significantly affected are notified and allow them sufficient time for the submission of opinions and agree on all the necessary procedures and an actual schedule for relevant consultations.
(7) The strategic assessment of transboundary environmental impact originating in the territory of the Republic of Estonia will be organised and the Republic of Estonia participates in the strategic assessment of transboundary environmental impact originating in the territory of another state in accordance with the procedure provided for in international agreements.
(1) The environmental management and audit scheme has been established by Regulation No. 761/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) (OJ L 114, 24.04.2001, pp. 1–29).
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the terms “verifier” and “organisation” are used within the meaning provide for in Articles 2(q) and (s) of Regulation No. 761/2001/EC of the European parliament and of the Council.
(3) Verification means organisational assessment conducted by a verifier to ensure that the environmental policy, the environmental management system and auditing procedures comply with the requirements of Regulation No. 761/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(4) Approval means assessment of the environmental report by a verifier to verify whether the information and data submitted in the environmental report of the organisation are reliable, credible, correct and comply with the requirements of Regulation No. 761/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(1) In accordance with the requirements of Regulation No. 761/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the body competent to register organisations is the Ministry of the Environment having the right to delegate authority to an authority within the area of government of the Ministry of the Environment.
(2) Organisations are registered in accordance with the procedure provided for in Regulation 761/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) The list of information contained in the registration certificate of organisations and the form of the certificates will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(4) Expenses relating to the verification of an organisation specified in subsection 47 (3) of this Act will be paid by the organisation applying for verification.
(1) An environmental verifier will be accredited by the Estonian Accreditation Centre on the basis of a public law contract concluded with the Republic of Estonia or by an internationally recognised accreditation institution.
(2) The requirements for the qualifications and accreditation of verifiers arise from Regulation 761/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) An assessment concerning activities which affect or may affect the impartiality of a verifier will be provided by the accreditation body on the basis of an application of verifier.
(4) The decision of the accreditation body is binding on the verifier and remains in force until the circumstances on which the decision was based change or cease to exist. If the circumstances change or cease to exist, the accreditation body will revoke its decision.
(5) Without the consent of the verifying organisation, a verifier will not disclose information obtained in the course of verification to third parties or use such information against the verifying organisation, unless otherwise provided by law.
(1) In order to promote the environmental management and audit scheme and to organise the necessary awareness raising campaign and training, the Ministry of the Environment will prepare a strategy and an activity plan for the promotion of the environmental management and audit scheme.
(2) The strategy for the promotion of environmental management and audit scheme and an environmental audit system will be approved by the Government of the Republic.
(2) In accordance with Regulation No. 1980/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the competent body is the Ministry of the Environment with the right to delegate authority to an authority within the area of government of the Ministry of the Environment.
(3) If necessary, the minister responsible for the field may establish a list of information to be submitted in an application for eco-label and the form of applications by each product group separately on the basis of the corresponding instructions from the European Commission.
(1) An applicant for the ecolabel will pay a state fee in the amount provided by the State Fees Act for the review of the application for the use of the ecolabel.
(2) A person holding the right to use the ecolabel will pay a state fee in the amount specified in the State fees Act for the use of the ecolabel on its products.
(3) If a person holding the right to use an ecolabel fails to pay the state fee for the use of the ecolabel on time, the competent body will have the right to suspend the right to use the ecolabel until the state fee has been paid.
(1) Violation of the requirement for environmental impact assessment or strategic environmental assessment is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units.
(2) The same act, if committed by a legal person, is punishable by a fine of up to 3200 euros.
(1) Violation of conditions for the use of the Community environmental management system and environmental audit system logo or the Community eco-label is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units.
(1) The provisions of the General Part of the Penal Code and of the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure apply to proceedings regarding the misdemeanours provided for in §§ 53 and 54 of this Act.
(2) The Environmental Inspectorate will conduct extra-judicial proceedings in the misdemeanour cases provided for in § 53 of this Act.
(3) The Consumer Protection Board will conduct extra-judicial proceedings in the misdemeanour cases provided for in § 54 of this Act.
(1) Environmental impact assessment of proposed activities initiated in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Auditing Act, which was effective until the entry into force of this Act, will be completed in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Auditing Act.
(2) The licences for environmental impact assessment and environmental auditor’s certificates issued in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Auditing Act remain in force until the date of expiry indicated therein or until revocation thereof.
(3) Licence holders who have not submitted to the Ministry of the Environment an application for the determination of the fields of activity and areas of impact the environmental impact of which the applicant has the right to assess must submit the corresponding application in a free form by 30 November 2008.
(4) This Act applies to the preparation of a strategic planning document which is initiated after the entry into force of this Act.
(5) This Act applies to the preparation of a strategic planning document which is initiated before the entry into force of this Act if the strategic planning document is adopted after 21 July 2006.
(6) Strategic environmental assessment initiated in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Auditing Act in force until the entry into force of his Act will be completed in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Auditing Act.
(7) If an expert has failed to submit an application by the date specified in subsection (3) of this section, the Minister of the Environment will revoke the licence of the expert.
(1) Subsection 15 (14) of this Act will enter into force on 1 June 2005.
(2) Subsections 6 (4) and 22 (4) of this Act will enter into force on 1 July 2005.
(3) Subsection 12 (2) of this Act will enter into force on 1 September 2005.
1 Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 175, 05.07.1985, pp. 40–48); Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (OJ L 197, 21.07.2001, pp. 30–37); Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment and amending with regard to public participation and access to justice Council Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EC (OJ L 156, 25.06.2003, pp. 17–25); Council Directive 97/11/EC amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 073, 14.03.1997, pp. 5–15); Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.07.1992, pp. 102–145), last amended by Directive 2006/105/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, pp. 368–408); Directive 2009/31/EC on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC, European Parliament and Council Directives 2000/60/EC, 2001/80/EC, 2004/35/EC, 2006/12/EC, 2008/1/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 (OJ L 140, 05.06.2009, pp. 114–135).

References: § 71
 § 19
 § 3
 § 3
 § 11
 § 11
 § 53
 § 54