Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment - no. 21/GOL. Country/Territory Lao, People's Dem. Rep. Document type Regulation Date 2019 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen. Keyword Access-to-information Authorization/permit Biodiversity Business/industry/corporations Certification Climate change Liability/compensation Concession Cultural heritage Traditional rights/customary rights Resource/damage valuation Data collection/reporting Dispute settlement EIA Environmental planning Governance Inspection Institution International relations/cooperation Offences/penalties Protection forest Protection of environment Public health Public participation Risk assessment/management Royalties/fees Social protection Sustainable development Water quality standards Policy/planning Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries, South-Eastern Asia Abstract This Decree, consisting of 87 articles, divided into 13 Parts, provides for management and implementation of environmental impact assessment activities, in order to ensure correctness and transparency in doing these activities, to protect environment and mitigate or remedy negative impacts on it, to improve livelihood of affected people, to make an efficient use of natural resources and to contribute to the implementation of the National Social and Economic Development Plan. The Decree applies to persons, entities and organisations, in both the public and private sectors, domestic and foreign, that operate investment projects and activities in the Country. The Decree defines environmental impact assessment as a process of studying, analysing and evaluating beneficial and adverse impacts that investment activities or projects may cause on the social and natural environment. The Decree also provides the definition of relevant terms, including: environment; social environment; natural environment; environmental impact; environmental restoration; environmental management monitoring plan; affected person; direct, indirect, beneficial and adverse impact. The State promotes international cooperation and formulates policies in order to facilitate environmental impact assessment activities. Full text English Website www.flegtlaos.com References - Legislation Repealed by Decree of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment no. 389 of 2022 on environmental impact assessment. Legislation | Lao, People's Dem. Rep. | 2022 Keyword: EIA, Certification, Resource/damage valuation, Ecosystem preservation, Environmental planning, Governance, Monitoring, Protection of environment, Research, Policy/planning Source: FAO, FAOLEX