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Armenia’s Environmental Compliance Framework: A Step Towards Sustainability

As Armenia works towards enhancing its environmental sustainability, a robust legal and institutional framework is crucial to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. According to experts, Armenia has made significant progress in establishing a comprehensive framework for environmental compliance assurance.

The European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL) emphasizes that the legal and permitting regime plays a vital role in an environmental compliance assurance cycle.

Progress Made by Armenia

Armenia has implemented various pieces of legislation aimed at addressing its environmental challenges, including:

  • The Law on Inspection Bodies
  • The Methodology and General Description of Criteria Determining Risks

The country’s Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union, signed in 2017, came into force earlier this year, covering environmental compliance matters. Armenia has also ratified international agreements, such as:

  • The Aarhus Convention
  • Adheres to 20 international treaties

Public Consultation and Transparency

Armenian draft environmental legislation undergoes public consultation, ensuring transparency and promoting effective public participation in decision-making processes.

Environmental Regulations and Monitoring

Government resolutions regulate permitted levels of emissions in Armenia, requiring entities that exceed certain emission thresholds to obtain an environmental permit. Similarly, permits are required for water use exceeding specified volumes.

Legislation also outlines:

  • Maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) of pollutants
  • Norms for water quality assurance

A 2011 decision specifies norms for water quality assurance in each basin management area.

Expert Insights

Experts say that a well-functioning legal and institutional framework is essential for effective environmental compliance and monitoring activities, including inspections. Armenia’s progress in establishing such a framework demonstrates its commitment to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.

Key Developments

  • Armenia has implemented various pieces of legislation aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
  • The country has ratified international agreements, including the Aarhus Convention.
  • Armenian draft environmental legislation undergoes public consultation.
  • Transparency in the mining sector has improved significantly through participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
  • Government resolutions regulate permitted levels of emissions and water use.

Sources

[1] European Commission (2021) Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Armenia

[2] Government of Armenia (2008) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters

[3] World Bank (2016) Doing Business 2016: Measuring Regulatory Quality and Efficiency