This Law establishes the legal framework for environmental supervision in the Republic of Armenia. It regulates the organization and implementation of supervision over compliance with environmental legislation and defines the legal, institutional and procedural foundations of environmental supervision. The Law specifies the concepts, objectives and principles of supervision and provides for the roles of the Government and the competent inspection body in ensuring compliance with environmental requirements. The Law defines the environmental matters subject to supervision, including the protection and use of atmospheric air, water resources, land, subsoil, flora and fauna, forests, specially protected natural areas, hazardous substances, waste and other environmental resources. It establishes the main directions of supervision, including compliance with permits, environmental requirements, environmental impact assessment obligations, environmental taxes and charges, reporting obligations and other requirements established by environmental legislation. The Law sets out the structure and powers of the environmental inspection system and defines the rights and duties of environmental inspectors. It regulates inspections, observations and studies as forms of supervision and contains provisions concerning access to information, collection of documents and samples, issuance of instructions, suspension of activities, confiscation measures, administrative proceedings and cooperation with other competent authorities. It also establishes procedures applicable in special cases, including situations involving environmental risks, complaints, reports and obligations arising from international agreements. The Law further defines the rights and obligations of entities subject to environmental supervision, including requirements relating to self-monitoring, cooperation with inspections and implementation of corrective measures. It regulates relations between the inspection body and state administration bodies, local self-government authorities, customs and tax authorities and the public, and establishes responsibility for violations of the Law and of environmental legislation subject to supervision.
Arménie · 2005-04-11