Environmental Protection Act.

This Act provides for the conservation and use of environmental media, the control over the sources of pollution and damage, the establishment of permissible emission levels and of environmental quality standards, the management of the environmental media and of environmental factors, environmental impact assessment (EIA), the issuance of integrated permits for pollution prevention, reduction and control, the designation and management of areas placed under a special regime of protection, etc.
The national environmental protection policy shall be implemented by the Minister of Environment and Water whose functions are described in the text. Environmental management auhtorites shall also be established.
Chapter II gives provisions on information relating to the environment. Chapter III deals with matters related to: conservation and use of water and water bodies; soil protection, sustainable use and restoration; conservation and use of the bowels of the earth; conservation and use of biological diversity, protection of the species of wild flora and fauna and the natural habitats of the species; ambient air quality protection; waste management; and protection of the environment from pollution by asbestos and mercury. An Enterprise for Management of Environmental Protection Activities, hereinafter referred to as "the Enterprise", shall be established. Activities of the Enterprise are specified in Chapter IV.
Chapter V and VI prescribe environmental strategies and programmes, and environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment of plans, programmes and development proposals. Prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances or limitation of the consequences of such accidents for the environment and for human health are provided for in Chapter VII. The construction and operation of new installations and facilities of industrial activities of the categories listed in Annex 4 shall be admitted after issuance of an integrated permit.
The Act regulates the rules, requirements, legal guarantees and legal relations regarding the international trade of Assigned Amount Units and the application of a National Green Investment Scheme.
A National Environmental Monitoring System shall cover the entire territory of Bulgaria and shall perform tasks listed in the text. The remaining part of the Act contains administrative and penal provisions.