Federal Act amending the Waste Management Act 2002, the Emission Control Act and the Water Act 1959 (Aarhus Participation Act 2018).

This Act continues the implementation of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters by amending the Waste Management Act 2002, the Emission Control Act and the Water Act 1959 in provisions dealing with the public participation process. The Act aims to give the public concerned (and in particular NGOs) a say in environmental approval procedures and subsequent review rights. Water law approval procedures shall be undertaken in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). If a project could have a considerable negative impact on the condition of a water body, recognised NGOs will be granted participation and monitoring rights. If negative effects can be excluded, recognised NGOs will have only a right of review.