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The environmental impact assessment in the Czech Republic (hereinafter referred to as the EIA and SEA processes) is regulated by Act No. 100/2001 Coll., on Environmental Impact Assessment, as amended, which superseded the original Act No. 244/1992 Coll.

The environmental impact assessment of projects and concepts is based on a systematic investigation and assessment of their possible impacts on the environment. The purpose of the environmental impact assessment is to provide a comprehensive identification, description and evaluation of the expected impact of upcoming projects and concepts on the environment and public health from all important aspects. The objective of the process is to mitigate environmental impact the implementation might have.

The EIA process provides an assessment of buildings, activities and technologies specified in Annex No. 1 to the above Act. Projects assessed within the EIA process include for instance buildings, roads, shop floors, mineral extraction, operating facilities – both newly built and redeveloped (i.e. enlargement, technology changes, capacity increase, etc.)

The EIA is performed before the approval and implementation of a relevant project. The authorising body (such as the Building control department) may not approve a project until an EIA conclusion has been provided.

The SEA process includes concepts specified in Section 3, letter b), and Section 10a, subsection 1) of the Act. The SEA process provides the assessment of a concept at the national (development concepts and programmes), regional (area development plans of big territorial units) and local levels (municipal plans).

What do EIA and SEA want to achieve?

• To identify, describe and evaluate expected environmental impact of projects and concepts under preparation from all relevant aspects,
• to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of project implementation,
• for high quality EIA and SEA it is essential to take into account the viewpoints and comments of other parties involved in the EIA process (the relevant local self-governing authorities, expert institutions, NGOs, public)
• to clarify the “compatibility” of projects with the requirements of environmental and public health protection and, last but not least, the requirements of an efficient use of the territory applying an expert attitude.

EIA and SEA Information Systems

Pursuant to Act No. 100/2001 Coll., on Environmental Impact Assessment, the EIA Information System of the Czech Republic helps the authorities designated to assess the environmental impact in compliance with the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment. The system registers business intentions which are assessed and publishes documents related to the process of environmental impact assessment on the Internet as required by the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment.

The information system is used to register activities assessed pursuant to the Act of the Czech National Council No. 244/1992 Coll., which started to be assessed prior to the effect of Act No. 100/2001 Coll. This system will remain in operation as the assessment started prior to the effect of Act No. 100/2001 Coll., on Environmental Impact Assessment and on amendment of related acts, shall be finished in compliance with Act No. 244/1992 Coll., as amended.

Pursuant to Act No. 100/2001 Coll., on Environmental Impact Assessment, the SEA Information System helps the authorities designated to assess the environmental impact in the area of SEA. It registers assessed concepts (national level), regional planning documentation of large regions (regional level) and regional planning documentation of municipalities (local level) and publishes documents made during the assessment of concepts, as required by law.

The EIA and SEA information systems can be accessed on the website of the Ministry of the Environment. The system also includes a list of authorised persons and a section containing regulations relating to the environmental impact assessment.

Information regarding the processes that are in progress is published on official notice boards of the relevant self-governing units (regional councils, municipal councils), in local newspapers and on the Internet. Thanks to the EIA/SEA information systems the public can follow the assessment procedure of new projects and concepts.

The EIA information system (project database) and the SEA information system (concept database) are central for the whole Czech Republic. Relevant authorities are obligated to publish documents in the systems, as stipulated by law.

The information systems also include lists of entities authorised to provide documents and expert opinions, a summary of the legislation related to the assessment process including explanations, and provide other notifications.