On 23 May 2017 the Parliament adopted the Law of Ukraine "On Environment Impact Assessment" (the Law). Reference - http://zakon0.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2059-19.

The newly adopted Law requires mandatory assessment of impact (both direct and indirect) on the environment of certain industrial objects and activities, such as, among others:

  • The extraction of mineral resources
  • The storage and processing of hydrocarbon crude
  • Hydro-power plants
  • Wind-power plants with two or more turbines with a height exceeding 50 meters
  • Oil and gas processing plants
  • CHP stations
  • Facilities for the production and enrichment of nuclear fuel
  • The extraction of oil and natural gas from the continental shelf
  • Pipelines for transporting oil and gas with a diameter exceeding 800 mm and having a length of 40 km or more
  • Facilities for oil and petrochemicals storage
  • The construction of overhead transmission lines with a voltage of more than 220 kV having a length exceeding 15 km.

The operation of the above objects, and conduct of the above activities, may not be commenced until their impact on the environment has been assessed in accordance with the Law and until a positive decision is received from the relevant authorities.

As part of the assessment process, the environmental authorities need to be provided with an assessment of the environmental impact, and such report becomes subject to public discussion. Based on this, environmental authorities provide their opinion on the assessment. A report on the environmental impact assessment, a report for public discussion and an opinion of environmental authorities forms the basis for local authorities to issue a relevant permit.

The Law also provides for the establishment of a Single Register on the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The new regulations will apply only to new operations/activity provided.

The Law will come into force on 18 December 2017.

Dentons is the world's first polycentric global law firm. A top 20 firm on the Acritas 2015 Global Elite Brand Index, the Firm is committed to challenging the status quo in delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value in new and inventive ways. Driven to provide clients a competitive edge, and connected to the communities where its clients want to do business, Dentons knows that understanding local cultures is crucial to successfully completing a deal, resolving a dispute or solving a business challenge. Now the world's largest law firm, Dentons' global team builds agile, tailored solutions to meet the local, national and global needs of private and public clients of any size in more than 125 locations serving 50-plus countries. www.dentons.com.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.