Inspections and fines: Ukraine to introduce European-style State Environmental Control

The Verkhovna Rada is preparing for the second reading of draft law No. 3091 on the reform of state environmental control, which is a prerequisite for Ukraine's accession to the EU.

This was reported by one of its authors, MP from the Servant of the People party, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy Olena Kryvoruchkina.

"Draft law No. 3091 was adopted in the first reading on June 15, 2021, but the realities have changed fundamentally due to the full-scale invasion. Also, we were not yet candidates for EU membership. Now we are paying more attention to environmental requirements and adapting European experience," the MP emphasized.

According to Ms. Kryvoruchkina, the reform envisages restarting the State Environmental Inspectorate, not liquidating it and creating a new body.

"We cannot simply liquidate the State Environmental Inspectorate now, because it is the only body that records environmental damage caused by the actions of the Russian Federation. We have to prepare an evidence base for an international court and assess the damage if we want to bring Russia to justice for this type of crime and receive reparations," the MP emphasized.

According to her, the relaunch of the State Environmental Inspectorate will involve changing the system of inspections of enterprises, with an emphasis on a preventive approach to pollution.

"Continuous training of environmental inspectors, functioning of the body as a service that not only conducts inspections but also helps businesses resolve issues to prevent pollution or quickly eliminate it," the author of the bill said.

At the same time, she noted, the State Environmental Inspectorate is not a fiscal authority.

"Undoubtedly, polluting companies will still pay fines. But we will create transparent conditions for business. Inspection plans will be drawn up after the moratorium is lifted according to the new logic. Our task is a total monitoring system, literally a sensor on every pipe," explained the MP.

She expressed hope that the draft law would be adopted by the Parliament.

"This is not a reform for the sake of reform. We want to radically change the approach in this area. We have the opportunity to adopt the necessary legislative changes because of Ukraine's ambitious goals of joining the EU," summarized Olena Kryvoruchkina.

We remind you that even before the adoption of this draft law in the first reading, the business opposed its adoption because of the unlimited powers of the controlling body.