Federal Act on Environmental Impact Assessment (UPVG). Country/Territory Austria Document type Legislation Date 1993 (2023) Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleFederal Act on environmental sustainability testing and public participation. Subject Environment gen., Water Keyword Basic legislation EIA Environmental planning Climate change Institution Ecosystem preservation Monitoring Data collection/reporting Precautionary principle Transboundary effects Land-use planning Sustainable development Public participation Access-to-justice Cultural heritage Policy/planning Geographical area Alps, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Western Europe Entry into force notes This Act comes into force on 1 July 1994. Abstract The purpose of this Act is to set up systems for (i) assessing the impact of planned activities on man, animals and plants, soil, water, air and climate, ecosystems, landscapes and cultural heritage; (ii) providing information on these activities and involving the public in the relevant decision-making processes. The Act also contains a schedule of projects that must be subjected to a sustainability test, namely an environmental impact assessment, and sets out the procedure to be followed for conducting and monitoring this test. The relevant authorities are responsible for drawing up an environmental impact research plan and to draft a list of experts qualified to carry out sustainability evaluations. The Act requires the authorities concerned to provide free public access to all the information available on the sustainability tests conducted on the planned activities, of which a list is given in the schedule. It also requires public hearings to held to debate the projects, and provides the possibility for independent experts to express dissenting opinions. The ways in which the public may participate in decision-taking are through written or oral statements, petitions and addressing the public hearings. The projects approved following an environmental impact study must be implemented in accordance with the conditions laid down in the licences issued for them. During the following three to five years, sustainability tests must be conducted on them to ensure total compliance. If not, the authorization or licence may be withdrawn. Full text German/English Website www.ris.bka.gv.at References - Legislation Implemented by Environment Commission Act 2000. Legislation | Austria | 2000 Keyword: Institution, Pollution control Source: FAO, FAOLEX Environment Commission Act 2000. Legislation | Austria | 2000 (2009) Keyword: Institution, Pollution control Source: FAO, FAOLEX Aircraft Noise Protection Ordinance. Legislation | Austria | 2012 Keyword: Pollution control, EIA, Noise pollution, Emissions, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties Source: FAO, FAOLEX Ordinance listing polluted regions relating to the Environment Sustainability Testing Act 2000. Legislation | Austria | 2006 (2008) Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Enforcement/compliance, Pollution control Source: FAO, FAOLEX Ordinance listing polluted regions (air) relating to the Environment Sustainability Testing Act 2000. Legislation | Austria | 2008 Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Enforcement/compliance, Pollution control Source: FAO, FAOLEX Amended by Federal Act amending the Federal Act on environmental sustainability testing and public participation and the Federal Act on the creation of a Commission for the Environment at the Ministry of the Environment. Legislation | Austria | 2005 Keyword: Pollution control, EIA, Institution Source: FAO, FAOLEX Energy Infrastructure Act and amendment of the Environment Sustainability Testing Act 2000. Legislation | Austria | 2016 Keyword: Energy conservation/energy production, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Institution, Enforcement/compliance, Pollution control, EIA, Environmental planning, Environmental standards, Policy/planning, Standards, Protection of environment Source: FAO, FAOLEX Federal Act amending the Environment Sustainability Testing Act 2000 and repealing the Environment Commission Act 2000. Legislation | Austria | 2013 Keyword: Pollution control, EIA, Institution Source: FAO, FAOLEX Federal Act amending the Federal Act on Environmental Impact Assessment. Legislation | Austria | 2017 Keyword: EIA, Local government Source: FAO, FAOLEX