Law on Environmental Permit.

This Law is divided into 3 Chapters: General regulations (1); Procedure of issuance of environmental permit (2); Environmental impact assessment (3).
With the aim of protecting the environment, protecting investments and promoting public participation, this law sets out the framework for a system of environmental permits required by activities of various industries such as minerals, textiles, agriculture, forestry and food. Applications are submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection or its decentralised offices. The procedures for issuance of permits according to category of activity are specified in articles 7-9. Applications may be refused on certain specified grounds including if environmental protection standards are not met by the proposed activity. Investors are under a duty to provide all required information and data to the Ministry. The Law requires EIA when it is necessary to study the effects of a proposed activity on a particular environmental or human medium, or on landscape or heritage. In such cases, an EIA is necessary prior to the issuance of an environmental permit and the investor is charged with its costs. Article 16 provides for public participation in the EIA process.