Law No. HO-121 on atmospheric air protection.

Atmospheric air is one of the vitally important basic elements of the surrounding natural environment. Based on the interests of present and future generations, the Republic of Armenia applies scientifically based measures, the purpose of which is to prevent and eliminate atmospheric air pollution, its harmful effects, as well as to implement international cooperation in the field of atmospheric air protection. This Law regulates: (a) legal and organizational bases of atmospheric air protection aimed at the protection of atmospheric air quality; and (b) public relations in the field of atmospheric air protection in order to ensure the quality of atmospheric air favorable for human health and the environment. The objectives of this Law are: (a) provision of atmospheric air quality favorable for human health and the environment by protecting it from pollution (natural and man-made); and (b) prevention of atmospheric ozone layer depletion, as well as adverse impacts on weather and climate, human health, flora and fauna. In order to determine the safety or harmlessness standards of chemical and biological impact factors on population, plants and animals, protected areas and objects of nature, as well as for the assessment of the state of atmospheric air, norms of the permissible limit levels of atmospheric air quality are defined. Norms for the assessment of atmospheric air quality are the limit permissible concentration of atmospheric air polluting (harmful) substances, the critical level of atmospheric air pollution, the critical atmospheric air load. The standards for the assessment of atmospheric air quality are uniform for the entire territory of the Republic of Armenia. For individual areas (sanitary protection or protected or touristic areas) stricter norms are defined. Assessment of atmospheric air quality is carried out by means of pollution measurement, standardized measurement or modeling methods, as well as by unified standards for locations and quantities of pollution measurement installations. For the purpose of state regulation of emissions of atmospheric air polluting (harmful) substances, the following are defined: (a) quantities of the permissible limit emissions of polluting (harmful) substances; and (b) technical norms of emissions of polluting (harmful) substances. The government ensures the implementation of measures aimed at preventing transboundary atmospheric air pollution, as well as measures aimed at the protection of atmospheric air defined by international agreements. State monitoring of atmospheric air is an integral part of state monitoring of the environment. State monitoring of atmospheric air is organized and implemented for the purpose of monitoring atmospheric air pollution, comprehensive assessment and forecasting changes in the state of atmospheric air. The data of the state monitoring of atmospheric air are provided to the interested bodies in the prescribed manner, and in order to make the public available, the current and urgent information on pollution is published in the procedure prescribed by the Government. Compensating the damage caused to the environment as a result of violating the rules of atmospheric air protection does not exclude the possibility of bringing the person who committed the offense to administrative or other responsibility. This Law contains XII Chapters divided into 29 Articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions. Chapter II establishes the powers of state administration in the field of atmospheric air protection. Chapter III regards assessment of atmospheric air status. Chapter IV regards limitation of harmful impact on atmospheric air. Chapter V establishes assessment of harmful impact on atmospheric air and inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter VI regards monitoring and control of atmospheric air protection. Chapter VII establishes rights, obligations and responsibilities (including business activities), legal persons, public organizations in the field of atmospheric air protection. Chapter VIII regards application of air protection requirements in the case of location and development of cities and other residential areas. Chapter IX regards application of atmospheric air protection requirements when using plant protection products and other substances. Chapter X regards application of atmospheric air protection requirements in the process of mineral extraction, explosion works, domestic waste generation, management and disposal. Chapter XI deals with dispute settlement. Chapter XII regards international cooperation in the field of atmospheric air protection.