How integrated environmental permits will be issued in Ukraine

“On the path to EU membership, Ukraine adopted the Law ”On Integrated Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution" in July this year. It implements chapters 1, 2, and 7 of Directive 2010/75/EU and creates the basis for industrial enterprises to obtain an integrated environmental permit for each of their facilities."

The law will come into force on August 8, 2025.

So what will be the procedure for issuing an integrated environmental permit (IEP)?

First, the enterprise must determine the installation and whether it falls under the list of activities for which, according to the law, an integrated environmental permit must be obtained. The second step after that is to submit an application for an integrated permit and all necessary documents to the Ministry of Environment as the permitting authority.

In order to prepare all the necessary documents properly and avoid mistakes, the Ministry of Environment, as the permitting authority, will provide advice to plant operators.

The Ministry of Environment will conduct a preliminary review of the operator's application within 30 working days. If necessary, it will provide additional explanations. Based on the results of the review, the Ministry will decide on the admissibility of the application or the need to eliminate deficiencies (if deficiencies are found, the operator will have 30 working days to eliminate them and resubmit the application).

If the application is accepted, the operator must publish an announcement about the start of public discussion.

All documents submitted by the operator will be published in the Register of Integrated Environmental Permits. The next day, public discussion will begin and will last for 30 working days. During this period, the public will have the right to submit any comments and suggestions in writing or orally during public hearings. At the same time, state environmental inspectors will conduct an inspection and survey of the facility and industrial site. If necessary, cross-border consultations will also be initiated.

After the public discussion is completed, the State Environmental Inspection and other competent authorities (State Water Agency, State Emergency Service, Ministry of Health, State Energy Efficiency Agency, Regional State Administration/Military-Civilian Administration) must submit their conclusions within five working days. Other executive authorities and local self-government bodies may also submit their own proposals and comments on the operator's application.

The final stage is the issuance of an EIA or a decision to refuse to issue it. The law allows 30 working days for this stage. Within this period, a coordination meeting may be convened to consider the EIA project, with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Environment, the facility operator, competent authorities, local authorities, and the public.

Information about the decision to issue or refuse to issue an IEP will be public – it will be published by both the Ministry of Environment and the operator of the facility.

If an IEP is obtained, the facility can be put into operation.

The integrated environmental permit will be issued for an unlimited period of validity.

Ultimately, this will help reduce industrial emissions and, consequently, lower the level of environmental pollution. After all, every enterprise that receives an integrated permit must operate in accordance with the best available European technologies and management methods. This procedure has already proven its effectiveness in the EU. Ukraine is moving step by step in this direction.

Source: Ministry of Environment Portal