Law on hydrometeorological activity. Country/Territory Armenia Document type Legislation Date 2001 (2023) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen. Keyword Hazards Flood Risk assessment/management Monitoring Data collection/reporting Access-to-information Geographical area Asia, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Europe, Europe and Central Asia, Landlocked Developing Nations, Western Asia Entry into force notes The Law enters into force on the date of its official publication. Abstract This law regulates public relations in the field of hydrometeorological activity in the Republic of Armenia, defines the legal basis of hydrometeorological activity and is aimed at meeting the demands of society, state authorities, legal and natural persons and ensuring hydrometeorological safety in the direction of receiving information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes. Hydrometeorological activity shall be based on the following principles: (a) complexity, completeness and continuity of hydrometeorological phenomena; (b) uniformity of data collection, processing, reporting and dissemination of information on the national territory; (c) ecological safety in the process of active impact upon meteorological and geophysical processes; and (d) availability and reliability of hydrometeorological information. The Act consists of 8 Sections divided into 30 articles: (1) general provisions; (2) state regulation in the sphere of hydrometeorological activity; (3) modalities of carrying out hydrometeorological activity; (4) information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes; (5) financing; (6) dispute settlement; (7) international cooperation; and (8) final provisions. All data of hydrometeorological monitoring shall form national database of hydrometeorological information. Hydrometeorological service shall collect data on surface water and groundwater for the purpose of supply of information on natural disasters, including flood. Article 6 establishes that Producers of information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes have the right to: (a) to carry out activities according to their founding documents; (b) receive remuneration for information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes; (c) copyright protection of scientific and other activities on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes; (d) refuse to provide consumers with information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes, if consumers have violated the terms of providing information; (e) carry out other activities not prohibited by the legislation. Producers of information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes are obliged to: (a) to carry out observations of hydrometeorological phenomena in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, in accordance with the requirements of the current methodology; (b) comply with the terms of the contracts for the production, storage and provision of information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes; (c) to record and provide information in the prescribed manner on the performed hydro-meteorological works; and (d) provide consumers with reliable hydrometeorological information. Article 8 establishes rights of citizens, public associations and other legal persons to access reliable information on hydrometeorological phenomena and processes. Citizens and environmental public associations have the right to make independent observations of hydrometeorological phenomena and processes, informing the authorized state management body in the field of hydrometeorology about natural disasters, accidents, violations of technological processes, which can put at risk to public health or the environment. Article 13 states that official warnings, forecasts and other information related to ensuring the safety of life, health and property of the population are communicated to citizens only by the authorized body. Full text Russian Website www.cawater-info.net References - Legislation Amended by Law No. ZR-312 amending Law on hydrometeorological activity. Legislation | Armenia | 2002 Keyword: Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting Source: FAO, FAOLEX Law No. HO-45-N amending Law on hydrometeorological activity Legislation | Armenia | 2016 Keyword: Institution, Hazards, Flood, Data collection/reporting, Access-to-information Source: FAO, FAOLEX