Resource information
An Act for the prevention of pollution, the conservation of a varied ecological system, for the promotion of involvement of the public in environmental protection and to provide for ecologically sustainable use of resources and the assessment of effects of economic activities on the environment.The text consists of 118 sections divided into 16 Chapters: General provisions (I); Decrees and regulations (II); Public offices and their tasks (III); Conditions for environment permits (IV); Competence of offices in relation with granting of permits (V); Procedures of granting of permits (VI); Assessment in relation with the granting of permits (VII); Decisions in relation with granting of permits (VIII); Validity of permits (IX); The duty of notification and introduction in the databank (X); Compensations (XI); Treatment of soil and groundwater (XII); Control and enforcement (XIII); Application for modification and implementation of decisions (XIV); Miscellaneous provisions (XV); Entry into force (XVI).This is Act generally concerns the prevention of pollution, and applies to all activities that cause or may cause environmental damage. The principles of the Act include: prevention or the restriction of damages to a minimum caution and, precautionary principle, the application of the best available technology (BAT), the best practice from the perspective of the environment (BEP), and the polluter pays principle The integration of the environmental permits system is one of the most important aims of the present text. Application for the environmental permits is made to one authority, and all the environmental effects of the activity will be assessed during the consideration of the permit. The Act defines more explicitly, and in a more integrated manner, the requirements of environmental permits and the prerequisites for granting a permit. The permit requirements are not, however, more strict than before and activities that require a permit have not been added. There are three environmental permit authorities, which decide on the most important environmental permits. These authorities replace the three Water Courts that were abolished in Helsinki, Kuopio and Oulu. Environmental permits of regional significance are still dealt with at the 13 regional environment centres. Other environmental permits will be decided by the environmental protection authority of the municipality. Citizens have greater opportunity to influence the decision-making process since the right to appeal has been extended. In addition NGO's that are involved in environment protection may appeal.
Implemented by: Government Decree No. 435 of 2001 on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations. (2001-05-23)
Implemented by: Decree No. 302 of 2001 of the Council of State on the conformity assessment of packagings and tanks used for the transport of dangerous goods. (2001-05-23)
Implemented by: Decree No. 169 of 2000 on environmental protection (Environmental Protection Decree). (2012-04-19)
Implemented by: Ministry of the Environment Decree No. 1129 of 2001 on the list of the most common wastes and of hazardous wastes. (2001-05-23)
Implemented by: Government Decree on limiting emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust from combustion plants and gas turbines with a rated thermal input of at least 50 megawatts (No. 1017 of 2002). (2010-09-23)
Implemented by: Government Decree on Treating Domestic Wastewater in Areas Outside Sewer Networks (No. 209/2011). (2011-03-11)
Implemented by: Government Decree on Urban Waste Water Treatment (No. 888 of 2006). (2006-10-12)
Implemented by: Government Decree No. 847 of 2012 on the environmental protection requirements for asphalt stations. (2012-12-20)
Implemented by: Government Decree on Substances Dangerous and Harmful to the Aquatic Environment (No. 1022 of 2006). (2011-12-29)
Implemented by: Government Decree on the monitoring of requirements for good agricultural practice and environmental conditions and prescribing operational requirements relating to the environment and the scope of cross compliance (No. 636 of 2007). (2007-05-31)
Implemented by: Chemicals Act (9.8.2013/599). (2013-08-09)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 560 of 2012). (2012-10-19)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 417 of 2012). (2012-06-29)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 681 of 2008). (2008-11-07)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 647 of 2011). (2011-06-17)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 728 of 2011). (2011-06-17)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 1106 of 2011). (2011-10-28)
Amended by: Act amending sections 24 and 25b of the Environment Protection Act (No. 1342 of 2009). (2009-12-22)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 588 of 2011). (2008-05-27)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 1590 of 2009). (2009-12-22)
Amended by: Act amending sections 50 and 52 of the Environment Protection Act (No. 622 of 2010). (2010-06-24)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 253 of 2010). (2010-04-09)
Amended by: Act amending section 20 of the Environment Protection Act (No. 1075 of 2010). (2010-12-10)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 1264 of 2010). (2010-12-17)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 13 of 2011). (2011-01-14)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 196 of 2011). (2011-03-04)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 1676 of 2009). (2009-12-29)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 273 of 2011). (2011-03-25)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 346 of 2008). (2008-05-23)
Amended by: Act amending the Environment Protection Act (No. 385 of 2009). (2009-05-29)
Amended by: Act amending the provisions regarding entry into force of the Environment Protection Act (No. 196 of 2012). (2012-04-27)
Repealed by: Environment Protection Act. (2017-12-28)
