LAO: Regulation on Environment Assessment in the Lao PDR
: The objectives of the Regulation on EA in the Lao PDR are as follows:
1. to establish uniform environmental assessment requirements and procedures for including environmental protection in all development projects in the Lao PDR.
2. to lay the general foundation for line ministries responsible for planning and implementing development projects to fulfill their obligations in issuing sector-specific Environmental Assessment regulations, which must be completed within 24 months after the enactment of this Regulation.
The regulations of the line ministries must be consistent with this Regulation, and must be prepared in consultation with STEA, and must be approved by STEA prior to enactment.
The regulations of the line ministries must include criteria for all projects within their sector area of responsibility that are either exempt from environmental assessment requirements in accordance with Article 8 of this Regulation, or that require environmental assessment in accordance with Articles 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Regulation.