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.

On 25 June 1998 the European Community signed the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the rhus Convention). The objective of the present Directive is to contribute to the obligations arising under that Convention, particularly by (i) providing for public participation as regards the drawing up of certain plans and programmes in the environmental field, and (ii) improving public participation and making rules on access to justice within Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EEC. Member States shall guarantee that the public (natural and legal persons, associations, organizations or groups) is given early and effective oportunities to participate in the preparation and modification or review of the plans and programmes referred to in Annex I. Articles 3 and 4 lay down amendments and addenda to particular provisions of Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EC respectively, in order to put those Directives in line with the obligations resulting from the rhus Convention. In particular, Annex V (the text of which is contained in Annex II hereto) shall be inserted in Directive 96/61/EC. This new Annex concerns public participation in decision-making.