Law introducing the Federal Act on the protection of the environment and the Federal Act on the protection of waters (Environment and Water Protection Law).

Subject

Environment gen., Water

Keyword

Pollution control Air quality/air pollution Soil pollution/quality Noise pollution Waste disposal Waste management Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Freshwater pollution Water quality standards Surface water Water conservation zone Groundwater

Geographical area

Alps, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, North-East Atlantic, Western Europe

Abstract

The present Law ensures the enforcement of federal legislation on environment protection and water protection and enables the Canton to take appropriate measures on the subject. Its purpose is to protect human beings, animals and plants and their symbioses and living spaces against harmful or burdensome influences and to conserve for future generation the natural living basis intact and in harmony with the principles of sustainable development. The present Law is applicable to all Federal Acts dealing with environment and water protection. The text consists of 89 articles divided into 4 Parts as follows: General provisions and principles (1); Environment protection (2); Water protection (3); Final and transitional provisions (4).

Full text

German

Website

www.ar.ch

References - Legislation

Implements

Loi fédérale sur la protection des eaux (LEaux).

Legislation | Switzerland | 1991 (2017)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Freshwater resources management, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Irrigation, Fertilizers/nutrients, Effluent waste water/discharge, Research, Water supply, Potable water, Ecosystem preservation, Sustainable use

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Loi fédérale sur la protection de l'environnement (Loi sur la protection de l'environnement, LPE).

Legislation | Switzerland | 1983 (2022)

Keyword: Framework law, Pollution control, Polluter pays principle, Protection of environment, Precautionary principle, EIA, Environmental fees/charges, Institution, Ecosystem preservation, Hazards, Subsidy/incentive, Expropriation, Enforcement/compliance, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Implemented by

Environment and Water Protection Ordinance.

Legislation | Switzerland | 2005

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Soil pollution/quality, Noise pollution, Waste disposal, Waste management, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Enforcement/compliance, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Surface water, Water conservation zone

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Amended by

Law amending the Law introducing the Federal Act on the protection of the environment and the Federal Act on the protection of waters (Environment and Water Protection Law).

Legislation | Switzerland | 2007

Keyword: Pollution control, Noise pollution, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX