Law No. 1264-XII on environmental protection.

The purpose of environmental legislation is to regulate relations in the sphere of protection, use and creation on natural resources, ensuring ecological safety, prevention of the negative environmental impact of economic and other activities and liquidation of its consequences, conservation of natural resources, genetic stock of animate nature, landscape and other ecosystems, unique areas and natural objects related to cultural heritage. Natural resources of Ukraine are the property of the Ukrainian people. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, the rights of the owner are exercised by the bodies of state power and local self-government within the limits defined by the Constitution of Ukraine, this and other laws of Ukraine. Citizens of Ukraine have the right to use natural resources of Ukraine in accordance with this and other laws. State protection and regulation of use and management in the national territory shall be applicable to: (a) natural environment as a combination of natural and social conditions and processes; and (b) natural resources either used for economic activities or not actually used for economic activities (land, subsoil, water, atmospheric air , forest and other vegetation, fauna), landscapes and other natural complexes. Special state protection shall be applicable to the protected areas and objects of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine and other territories and objects, determined in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine. The state shall guarantee protection of public life and health from negative environmental impact and adverse environmental conditions. Ecological knowledge (education) is a mandatory qualification for all officials whose activities relate to the use of natural resources and have an impact on the state of the environment. The competence of the central executive body, which implements the state policy on state supervision (control) in the field of environmental protection, rational use, reproduction and protection of natural resources, includes issuing instructions to central executive bodies, their territorial bodies, local executive bodies, local self-government bodies on suspension or revocation in the manner prescribed by law of permits, licenses, certificates, conclusions, decisions, limits, quotas, approvals, certificates for special use of natural resources , emissions and discharges of pollutants into the environment, handling of hazardous chemicals, transboundary movement of flora and fauna (including aquatic living resources), as well as the establishment of standards for permissible levels of harmful effects on the environment. This Law consists of XVI Sections that contain 72 articles. Section I (arts. 1-8) lays down general provisions. Section II (arts. 9-12) regards ecological rights and duties of the citizens. Section III (arts. 13-15) regards plenary powers in the sphere of environmental protection. Section IV (arts. 16-21) establishes plenary powers of executive bodies in the sphere of environmental protection. Section V (arts. 22-25) regards protection, forecast, registration and information in the sphere of environmental protection. Section VI (arts. 26-30) regards ecological expertise. Section VII (arts. 31-33) regards standardization and rate setting in the sphere of environmental protection. Section VIII (arts. 34-37) regards control and inspection in the sphere of environmental protection. Section IX (arts. 38-40) regards regulation of use of natural resources. Section X (arts. 41-49) establishes economic mechanism of ensuring environmental protection. Section XI (arts. 50-59) establishes arrangements for ensuring ecological safety. Section XII (arts. 60-64) regards protected areas. Section XIII (arts. 65 and 66) regards ecological emergencies. Section XIV (art. 67) regards dispute settlement. Section XV (arts. 68-70) establishes liability. Section XVI (arts. 71 and 72) regards international agreements signed by the Ukraine in the sphere of environmental protection.