Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Ministry of Environment is authorized to decide whether a project/investment is subject to "the Environmental Impact Assessment" or not, as well as to decide whether the project/investment be allowed as the result of the assessment. However, the Ministry could transfer its power on deciding the necessity of an assessment to Governors of the provinces where the project/investment would take place. All projects listed in Annex-I, and the projects listed in Annex-II which are specified as "Assessment Needed" are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment. The Regulation defines all administrative procedures, from initial application by the investor to the final decision by the Ministry. Meetings will be held with Community representatives of the location where the investment is planned to exchange views and obtain consent of the community in general. If the final report is favourable for the project/investment; it will also be communicated to the community and the investment should commence within five years. For projects not commenced in due time, the assessment process should be renewed. If final report is unfavourable for the project/investment; the investor could re-design the investment by eradicating all unfavourable conditions and could apply for a new assessment. The Regulation also defines monitoring and evaluation procedures and measures against any possible failure in complying with the rules and procedures imposed by this Regulation.