Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The European EIA Directive, together with the Single European Act of 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, form the pillars of European environmental policy principles. Introduced with the European Community Directive 85/337, EIA was created as a tool to identify, describe and evaluate the effects of a project on certain environmental factors and human health.

PURPOSE

The basic concepts underlying the EIA procedure are:

• Prevention: analysis of all possible impacts derived from the implementation of the work/project, in order not only to safeguard but also to improve the quality of the environment and life;
• Integration: analysis of all environmental components and the interactions among different possible effects (cumulative effects);
• Comparison: dialogue and feedback between planners and authorizers in the collection, analysis and use phases of scientific and technical data;
• Participation: opening up the assessment process to active citizen input with a view to greater transparency (publication of the permit application and opportunity for consultation).

The purpose of environmental assessment is to ensure that human activity is compatible with the conditions for sustainable development, and thus with respect for the regenerative capacity of ecosystems and resources, the preservation of biodiversity, and the equitable distribution of benefits associated with economic activity. The EIA procedure is structured on the principle of preventive action, according to which the best environmental policy is to prevent negative effects related to project implementation, rather than to combat the effects later. The structure of the procedure has been updated over the years to provide information to the public and guide decision-making in a participatory manner.

NEW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Entered into force on June 16, 2017, with Legislative Decree. 104/2017, the new Environmental Impact Assessment mainly sees the EIA process time reduced, other important changes include:

• pre-screening, which is a preliminary assessment of the project to identify the correct procedures to be initiated in the case of changes or technical adjustments to existing works;
• Uniform rules throughout the country;
• Digitization of procedures (with elimination of obligations to publish in the press).

ASACERT

In order to be able to identify the most appropriate project solution to pursue the objectives without incurring the risk of penalties or project cancellations, it is necessary to rely on professionals in the field who can follow the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure, in full compliance with the multiple regulations provided. As a third-party and accredited body, with 20 years of experience in the field of building inspections and sustainability, ASACERT is able to ensure professional and up-to-date support, on the regulations and the process provided by the legislature on environmental issues.