Law on Pollution (2001)

Subject

Environment gen., Sea, Water

Keyword

Framework law Basic legislation Public health Environmental planning Environmental standards Risk assessment/management Enforcement/compliance Pollution control Emissions Air quality/air pollution Soil pollution/quality Water quality standards Freshwater pollution Sustainable development Sustainable use Waste prevention Registration Inspection Noise pollution Climate change Emissions trading Authorization/permit Radiation Marine pollution Policy/planning Standards Protection of environment

Geographical area

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

Abstract

This Law regulates pollution. Its purpose is to prevent or reduce harm caused to human health, property, or the environment due to pollution, to eliminate the consequences of harm caused, as well as to prevent pollution resulting from polluting activities or, if it is impossible, reduce emission into soil, water, and air; to prevent or, if it is impossible, reduce the use of non-renewable natural resources and energy when performing polluting activities; to prevent or, if it is impossible, reduce the generation of waste; to ensure ascertaining of polluted and potentially polluted sites in the territory of the State and registration thereof; to specify measures for investigation of polluted and potentially polluted sites and remediation of polluted sites; to specify the persons who shall cover expenses related to investigation of polluted and potentially polluted sites and remediation of polluted sites; to prevent or reduce the effects of environmental noise on human beings; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the activities referred to in Annexes 2 and 4 to this Law and to increase removal of carbon dioxide from the activities referred to in Part II of Annex 4 to this Law, taking into account cost efficiency, ensuring participation in the European Union Emissions Trading System, and fulfilling the commitments of Latvia in relation to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and removal of carbon dioxide; to specify the right of each natural person and legal person, as well as the associations, organisations and groups thereof to participate in the decision-making process in relation to the issuing of permits for the performance of polluting activities or the review of such permits, as well as in relation to the division and allocation of greenhouse gas allowances; and to prevent or, where impossible, restrict odours caused by polluting activities. This Law determines the requirements which shall be taken into account by operators and aircraft operators in the area of pollution prevention and control, and the procedures for the prevention and control of pollution, as well as the requirements to be taken into account when initiating, performing, and discontinuing polluting activities; the requirements to be taken into account when issuing permits for the performance of polluting activities and the use of water, as well as the procedures for the provision of information regarding polluting activities the performance of which does not require a permit; the procedures for the determination of the environmental quality requirements; the procedures for determining the emission limit value of specific substances, the conditions for a polluting activity, as well as other restrictions referring to the performance of polluting activities; the procedures for ascertaining, registration, investigation, and remediation of polluted sites; the conditions for the supervision of polluting activities, the control and monitoring of polluting activities, as well as the procedures by which the public shall be informed regarding such activities; the requirements to be taken into account upon issuing greenhouse gas emission permits, as well as upon granting and auctioning allowances; the requirements to be conformed to by aircraft operators in the field of greenhouse gas emission control; the requirements in relation to activities with allowances and the conditions for the development of a plan for the allocation of allowances; the procedures for the specification of highly sensitive territories, including the requirements in relation to the treatment of city and other municipal waste water, as well as the protection of water and soil in the relevant territories; the requirements, specified for equipment and products containing chemical substances. This Law shall also apply to the mobile sources of pollution stipulated by the Cabinet. This Law determines the objectives for the reduction of emissions of air polluting substances, as well as the procedures for the development of the action programme for the reduction of emissions and recording the emission of air polluting substances. Activities with radioactive substances, radioactive waste, sources of ionising radiation and genetically modified organisms shall be governed by other laws and regulations. This Law provides for the conditions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from other sources of greenhouse gas emissions and for the fulfilment of the commitments of greenhouse gas emissions reduction referred to in this Law; for the removal of carbon dioxide from the land use, land-use change and forestry activities referred to in Part II of Annex 4 to this Law and for the fulfilment of the commitments referred to in this Law in relation to removal of carbon dioxide. This Law determines the requirements for the monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport carried out in accordance with Regulation No 2015/757.

Full text

English/Latvian

Website

likumi.lv

References - Legislation

Implements

Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste and repealing certain Directives.

Legislation | European Union | 2008 (2018)

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Solid waste, Sustainable development, Precautionary principle, Waste disposal, Waste domestic sources, Waste management, Waste non-domestic sources, Waste prevention, Public health, Soil pollution/quality, Policy/planning, Public participation, Food waste, Basic legislation, Recycling/reuse, Packaging/labelling, Hazardous waste, Registration, Authorization/permit, Inspection, Organic waste

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2008/1/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.

Legislation | European Union | 2008

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Noise pollution, Authorization/permit, Data collection/reporting, Access-to-information, Basic legislation, Soil pollution/quality, Hazardous substances, Waste management, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC.

Legislation | European Union | 2012

Keyword: Pollution control, Hazardous substances, Inspection, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2009/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the Community.

Legislation | European Union | 2009

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Climate change, Ozone layer, Authorization/permit, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances.

Legislation | European Union | 1996

Keyword: Pollution control, Hazardous substances, Inspection, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting, Institution, Public health

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Council Directive 93/12/EEC

Legislation | European Union | 1998

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Monitoring, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment, Bioenergy, Biofuel, Renewable energy

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Council Directive 1999/32/EC relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels and amending Directive 93/12/EEC.

Legislation | European Union | 1999

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Marine pollution, Hazardous substances

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC.

Legislation | European Union | 2003 (2023)

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Ozone layer, Climate change, Emissions, Authorization/permit, Policy/planning, Monitoring, Data collection/reporting, Environmental standards, Emissions trading, Capacity building, Financing, Renewable energy, Research, Standards, Protection of environment, Afforestation/reforestation, Forest management/forest conservation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2004/42/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products and amending Directive 1999/13/EC.

Legislation | European Union | 2004

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Hazardous substances, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources.

Legislation | European Union | 1991 (2008)

Keyword: Soil pollution/quality, Fertilizers/nutrients, Protection of environment, Farming, Agricultural development, Organic waste, Waste prevention, Waste management, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2005/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 1999/32/EC relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels.

Legislation | European Union | 2005

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Marine pollution, Cultural heritage, EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone, Territorial sea, Maritime zone

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2004/101/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community, in respect of the Kyoto Protocol's project mechanisms.

Legislation | European Union | 2004

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Ozone layer, Emissions, Access-to-information, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment and amending with regard to public participation and access to justice Council Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EC.

Legislation | European Union | 2003

Keyword: Environmental planning, Access-to-information, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Access-to-justice, Governance, Public participation, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise.

Legislation | European Union | 2002

Keyword: Pollution control, Noise pollution, Access-to-information, Data collection/reporting

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide.

Legislation | European Union | 2009

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Climate change, Continental shelf, Maritime zone, Exploration, Authorization/permit, EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control).

Legislation | European Union | 2010

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Basic legislation, Environmental standards, Business/industry/corporations, Integrated management, Standards, Protection of environment, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Waste management, Effluent waste water/discharge, Waste non-domestic sources, Pesticides, Drugs, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive 2009/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 98/70/EC as regards the specification of petrol, diesel and gas-oil and introducing a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and amending Council Directive 1999/32/EC as regards the specification of fuel used by inland waterway vessels and repealing Directive 93/12/EEC.

Legislation | European Union | 2009

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Ozone layer, Bioenergy, Biofuel, Renewable energy

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC.

Legislation | European Union | 2015

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Pollution control, Marine pollution, International relations/cooperation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive (EU) 2015/2193 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants.

Legislation | European Union | 2015

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Ozone layer, Emissions, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment, Public health

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, amending Directive 2003/35/EC and repealing Directive 2001/81/EC.

Legislation | European Union | 2016

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Ozone layer

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Implemented by

Cabinet Regulation No. 419 of 2011 on Maximum Permissible Emission into the Air in the State

Legislation | Latvia | 2011

Keyword: Monitoring, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Pollution control, Classification/declassification, Transboundary effects, Data collection/reporting, Hazardous substances

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 139 of 2006 on Requirements for the Use and Labelling of Certain Equipment and Products Containing Hazardous Chemical Substances and Regarding the List of Goods Harmful to the Environment

Legislation | Latvia | 2006 (2012)

Keyword: Hazardous substances, Processing/handling, Packaging/labelling, Environmental standards, Internal trade, International trade, Pollution control, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 1290 of 2009 on Ambient Air Quality

Legislation | Latvia | 2009

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Pollution control, Environmental standards, Monitoring, Inspection, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 769 of 2012 on Participation of Stationary Technological Installations in the Emission Allowance Trading Scheme of the European Union

Legislation | Latvia | 2012

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Pollution control, Emissions, Emissions trading, Climate change, Procedural matters, Authorization/permit, Monitoring, International organization, International relations/cooperation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 401 of 2011 on Requirements for Incineration of Waste and Operation of Waste Incineration Plants

Legislation | Latvia | 2011 (2012)

Keyword: Waste disposal, Hazardous waste, Environmental standards, Waste management, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 834 of 2014 on Protection of Water and Soil from Pollution with Nitrates Caused by Agricultural Activity

Legislation | Latvia | 2014

Keyword: Soil conservation/soil improvement, Soil pollution/quality, Pollution control, Water conservation zone, Water quality standards, Surface water, Groundwater, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 829 of 2014 on Special Requirements for the Performance of Polluting Activities in Animal Housing

Legislation | Latvia | 2014

Keyword: Pollution control, Monitoring, Farming, Animal production, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 614 of 2018 on Reduction and Recording of the Total Emission of Air Polluting Substances

Legislation | Latvia | 2018

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, EIA, Pollution control, Data collection/reporting, Ecosystem preservation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 801 of 2006 on Sulphur Content Restrictions for Certain Types of Liquid Fuel

Legislation | Latvia | 2006

Keyword: Oil, Environmental standards, Hazardous waste, Standards, Protection of environment, Emissions, Oil pollution, Air quality/air pollution, Hazardous substances, Institution, Governance, Internal trade, Pollution control, Marine pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 724 of 2014 on Methods for Determination of the Odours Caused by Polluting Activity, as well as the Procedures for Restricting the Spread of such Odours

Legislation | Latvia | 2014

Keyword: Pollution control, Emissions, Standards, Zoning, Air quality/air pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 737 of 2017 on the Establishment and Maintenance of the National System for the Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Preparation of Projections

Legislation | Latvia | 2017

Keyword: Emissions, Data collection/reporting, Climate change, Procedural matters, Monitoring

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 182 of 2013 on the Development of Draft Emission Limits of Stationary Pollution Sources

Legislation | Latvia | 2013

Keyword: Emissions, Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Authorization/permit, Procedural matters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 804 of 2005 on Regulations Regarding Quality Standards for Soil and Ground

Legislation | Latvia | 2005

Keyword: Soil conservation/soil improvement, Soil pollution/quality, Soil rehabilitation, Environmental standards, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 231 of 2007 on Limitation of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Certain Products

Legislation | Latvia | 2007 (2008)

Keyword: Emissions, Environmental standards, Air quality/air pollution, Hazardous substances, Biological control agents, Pollution control, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 362 of 2006 on Utilisation, Monitoring and Control of Sewage Sludge and the Compost thereof

Legislation | Latvia | 2006

Keyword: Waste domestic sources, Waste non-domestic sources, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Pollution control, Sewerage, Waste management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 158 of 2009 on Requirements with Respect to Environmental Monitoring and the Procedures for Performance Thereof, the Creation of the Register of Polluting Substances and Public Availability of Information

Legislation | Latvia | 2009 (2010)

Keyword: Monitoring, Environmental standards, Procedural matters, Access-to-information, Public health, Public participation, Pollution control, Data collection/reporting, Registration, Research, Standards, Protection of environment, Freshwater pollution, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 736 of 2017 on Procedures by Which Emission of Air Pollutants from Combustion Plants Shall Be Prevented, Limited and Controlled

Legislation | Latvia | 2017

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Monitoring, Access-to-information, Public health, Public participation, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 42 of 2018 on Methodology for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Legislation | Latvia | 2018

Keyword: Renewable energy, Emissions, Climate change, Data collection/reporting, Research, Risk assessment/management, Energy conservation/energy production, Waste management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 301 of 2011 on Environmental Pollution from Production of Asbestos and Asbestos-based Products and Management of Asbestos Waste

Legislation | Latvia | 2011

Keyword: Pollution control, Waste management, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, Procedural matters, Emissions, Air quality/air pollution, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 1082 of 2010 on Procedure by Which Polluting Activities of Category A, B and C Shall Be Declared and Permits for the Performance of Category A and B Polluting Activities Shall Be Issued

Legislation | Latvia | 2010 (2014)

Keyword: Pollution control, Authorization/permit, Classification/declassification, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 409 of 2012 on Environmental Protection Requirements for Service Stations, Oil Terminals and Tank Containers

Legislation | Latvia | 2012 (2016)

Keyword: Oil pollution, Environmental standards, Groundwater, Transport/storage, Maritime zone, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 752 of 2013 on Price List for the Paid Services of the State Limited Liability Company “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre”

Legislation | Latvia | 2013 (2014)

Keyword: Royalties/fees, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Cabinet Regulation No. 34 of 2002 on Discharge of Polluting Substances into Water

Legislation | Latvia | 2002 (2013)

Keyword: Waste disposal, Water charges, Pollution control, Waste domestic sources, Water conservation zone, Monitoring, Access-to-information, Surface water, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX