ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

In order to implement EU Standards and the environmental provisions of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, Kosovo has adopted numerous environmental legislations and regulations in a very short period of time. The main principles of Environment Protection are set in Law No. 03/L-025 on “Environmental Protection”. These principles are also enshrined in other laws that regulate the area of ​​environmental law. Some of these principles are:

1. Principle of Sustainable Development;
2. Principle of Integration on Environmental Protection;
3. Principle of Precaution and Prevention;
4. Principal of Gradual Harmonization with EU Standards;
5. Principle of Consistency with EU Law;
6. Principle “Polluter Pays”;
7. Principle of Public Access to Information etc.

Pursuant to Law No 04/L-175 on the Inspectorate of ‘’Environment, Waters, Spatial Planning and Construction”, the Inspectorate of Environment Protection is the state body that performs, at central and local levels, environmental inspection, in order to ensure the respect of the norms and standards of environmental legislations and their implementation. Inspectorate has the power to pronounce fines and to initiate criminal proceedings for violation of environmental laws.

Among all environmental obligations which apply while setting up a business or an industrial project, it is important to highlight the licensing system: Kosovo has developed a comprehensive set of environmental management tools based on environmental licensing and water rights.