Law on Environmental Protection.

Subject

Environment gen.

Keyword

Basic legislation Environmental planning Pollution control Environmental standards Energy conservation/energy production Policy/planning Standards Protection of environment

Geographical area

Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Northern Europe

Entry into force notes

The Law entered into force from the date of its official promulgation.

Abstract

The purpose of the Law is to promote sustainable development in the field of environmental protection, to create and ensure an effective environmental protection system, with the following functions: 1) to conserve, protect, and improve the quality of environment; 2) to protect human health; 3) to ensure environmental protection from the impacts created by anthropogenic loads; 4) to conserve biological diversity; 5) to promote the sustainable utilization of natural resources and energy; 6) to ensure the inclusion of environmental protection requirements in the regulatory enactments, conceptions, plans and programmes regulating other sectors; 7) to ensure public participation in the observation of environmental protection principles and the implementation of environmental policies; 8) to ensure that the public has the opportunity to freely receive environmental information. The Law consists of 10 Chapters that contain 64 Sections. Chapter 1 lays down the general provisions. Chapter 2 establishes the competence of state administrative authorities and local government authorities in environmental protection and utilization of natural resources. Chapter 3 establishes the rights of the inhabitants of the Republic of Latvia to a qualitative life environment and the guarantees for such. Chapter 4 deals with the regulation of environmental quality norms. Chapter 5 deals with the regulation of the utilization of natural resources and the prevention of environmental pollution. Chapter 6 regards protection of nature. Chapter 7 concerns special ecological situations. Chapter 8 concerns environmental protection control. Chapter 9 determines liability for violations of laws on environmental protection. Chapter 10 regards international cooperation of the Republic of Latvia in environmental protection.

Full text

English

References - Legislation

Implemented by

National Environmental Policy Plan 2004-2008

Legislation | Latvia | 2004

Keyword: Sustainable development, Pollution control, Water conservation zone, Water quality standards, Pesticides, Residues, Environmental standards, Biodiversity, Agricultural development, Policy/planning, Bioenergy, Air quality/air pollution, Waste management, Radiation, Nuclear energy, Noise pollution, Hazardous substances, GMO, Integrated management, Flood, Water shortage/drought, Erosion, Climate change, Emissions, Emissions trading, Research, Education, Cultural heritage, Fishery management and conservation, Genetic resources, Afforestation/reforestation, Forest management/forest conservation, Forest species, Forestry protection measures, Non-timber products, Minerals, Local government, Data collection/reporting, International relations/cooperation, Groundwater, Surface water, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters, Coastal zone management, Wetlands, Ecosystem preservation, Potable water, Freshwater quality/freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation No. 365 on utilisation, monitoring and control of sewage sludge and the compost thereof.

Legislation | Latvia | 2002

Keyword: Agricultural land, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Organic waste, Fertilizers/nutrients, Sewerage

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Repealed by

Environmental Protection Law (2006)

Legislation | Latvia | 2006 (2013)

Keyword: Framework law, Basic legislation, Pollution control, Polluter pays principle, Precautionary principle, EIA, Access-to-information, Monitoring, Liability/compensation, Freshwater pollution, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX