Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (S.S.I. 258 of 2004).
These Regulations implement Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and Council on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programs on the environment, as regards plans and programs which relate solely to the whole or any part of Scotland. Subject to the exceptions, where the first formal preparatory act in relation to a plan or program to which the Regulations apply is after 21 July 2004, the plan or program cannot be adopted, or submitted for adoption, unless it has been subjected to environmental assessment under the Regulations.