Environmental rules - Bulgaria
Updated 09/2010
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European Union
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Austria
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Belgium
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Bulgaria
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Legal requirements
Bulgarian environmental legislation includes:
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Environmental Protection Act (ZOOS)
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Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment
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Protected Areas Act (ZZT)
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Biodiversity Act (ZBR)
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Medicinal Plants Act (ZLR)
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Genetically Modified Organisms Act (ZGMO)
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Waters Act (ZV)
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Waste Management Act (ZUO)
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Mineral Resources Act (ZPB)
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Soils Act (ZP)
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Horizontal legislation
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List of environmental documents
The Ministry of the Environment and Waters, The Executive Environmental Agency, the Regional Inspectorates of the Environment and Waters, the Basin Directorates, the National Parks Directorate and local government agencies are responsible for implementing environmental legislation.
- Ministry of the Environment and Waters
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Environmental Executive Agency
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Regional Inspectorates of the Ebnvironment and Waters, basin directorates and national parks
[82 KB]
Land development
The Environmental Protection Act (ZZOS) lays down the procedure for conducting environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for proposed investments.
EIAs are required before the construction of nuclear or thermal powers stations, and any manufacturing facilities, slaughterhouses, large farms, roads and motorways, hotels, resorts, sports facilities, etc.
Waste management
The Waste Management Act (ZUO) lays down the general requirements for protecting the environment and human health activity with waste.
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The Environmental Protection Act (ZOOS)
[8 MB]
Monitoring the environment is the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment and Waters.
Chemicals
This legislation has been fully harmonised with EU law.
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Chemical Substances page of the Ministry of the Environment and Waters
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Chemical legislation
Water
The Waters Act (ZV) regulates the fundamental principles in the field of water management, ownership of waters and hydrological facilities, the competent water management authorities at national and local level and monitors these.
Mineral resources
The protection of mineral resources and the rational use of mineral resources is the obligation of anyone involved in their exploration and use.
Soil
The Soils Act (ZP) deals with the protection, sustainable use and remediation of soil after any kind of soil use.
Protecting nature
Bulgaria is part of the NATURA 2000 international network
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Guidelines for environmental impact assessments of wind generators
[796 KB]
Climate and air
If sources of pollution do not remain within the restrictions for hazardous materials, they are subject to various sanctions.
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Regulationon Sanctions for Damaging or Polluting the Environment
With the implementation of the carbon trading scheme emissions of CO2, greenhouse gas emissions from various opeators have been limited.
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EU emissions quotas trading scheme
Businesses are free to go beyond the minimum environmental legal requirements at their own initiative.
Administrative procedures
Control in the implementation of environmental protection law is the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment and Waters.
Control is exercised in accordance with manuals and guidelines.
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Information on control, fines and sanctions
Land development
EIAs are conducted in several stages, including:
- notification of the relevant environmental authority and the local population affected;
- drafting a report;
- public consultations;
- issuing an EIA decision;
- ensuring that the conditions of the EIA decision are fulfilled.
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Administrative services provided by the Ministry of the Environment and Waters in relation to EIAs
[210 KB]
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Cost of EIA-related services
[204 KB]
Waste management
In the sphere of waste management the following declaration procedures are required:
- Notification of the building permit
- Declaration of persons operating with waste
- Register of waste operators' permits issued
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Register of comprehensive permits issued
[171 KB]
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Waste packaging recycling organisations
[40 KB]
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Waste electrical equipment recycling organisations
[76 KB]
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Vehicle waste recycling organisations
[69 KB]
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Used engine oil recycling organisations
[24 KB]
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Discarded battery recycling organisations
[60 KB]
Chemicals
System of permits to prevent major incidencts with dangerous substances and to limit the consequences thereof.
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Import and export of certain dangerous chemical waste
[50 KB]
Water
According to the Waters Act (ZV), owners of wells have to declare them to the relevant basin directorate for water management. The directorates keep registers of the wells in their territory.
Mineral resources
Permits for exploring and/or studying and concessions to mine minerals are issued by tender; or by auction; or by the right of the sole applicant.
Climate and air
Operators of new and existing installations have to submit to the Environmental Executive Agency an application for an emissions and greenhouse gases permit.
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EU emissions allowances trading scheme
Waste management
Comprehensive permits - Applications for permits must conform with the scope and contents requirements set out in the methodology.
Chemicals
Notification of export of dangerous chemicals
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Notification of export
[29 KB]
Issuing permits
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Issuing permits [175 KB]
Water
Water usage permits or a permit to use a water facility are required to use water and/or operate a water facility.
Mineral water is extracted by means of a concession
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Concessions for extracting mineral water
Mineral resources
Surveying and exploring mineral resources requires a permit, while mining requires a concession.
Protecting nature
Protected territories:
Approving activities in protected territories
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Procedures for approving new facilities
[44 KB]
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Procedures for approving activities in protected territories
[44 KB]
Climate and air
The Minister of the Environment and Waters issues permits for protecting air cleanliness.
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Air Cleanliness Act (ZchAV)
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Regulation on the Procedure and Method for Issuing and Reviewing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permits
Noise protection
Industrial sources of environmental noise do not require special permits. Conditions on noise pollution are only set out in comprehensive permits for industrial installations and plant.
Waste management
As regards control procedures for protecting the environment, various inspections - preliminary, ongoing and follow-up - are carried out.
Chemicals
Control with regard to chemicals is exercised by the regional environment and water inspectorates, the regional public health inspectorates and the Central Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency.
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Instructions for control activities
[3 MB]
Water
The control authorities in the field of water management are the Ministry of the Environment and Waters and the basin directorates.
They check that water usage permits are complied with and the water facility usage conditions are being met, and ensure that there is no unauthorised water usage and/or use of water facilities.
Mineral resources
State control to protect mineral resources and their rational use is carried out by the Minister of the Environment and Waters, or by the Minister of Culture where cultural heritage is concerned.
Soil
Inspections are conducted by the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorates to ensure that the prohibitions in the Soils Act and the requirements of the Liability for Preventing and Remedying Environmental Damage Act (ZOPOESht) and the Environment Protection Act (ZOOS) are being observed.
Climate and air
Checks are carried out by the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorates.
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Regulation on the conditions, procedures and methods for reporting by installation operators
[210 KB]
Noise protection
Noise protection is regulated by orders.
Programmes
The Energy Efficiency Agency drafts programmes and projects to improve energy efficiency and for the use of renewable energy sources, and guarantees funding for various projects and programmes.
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Energy Efficiency Agency
Check also the legislation on this topic in:
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European Union
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Austriadeen
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Belgiumenfrnl
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Bulgariabgen
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Cypruselen
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Czech Republiccsen
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Denmarkdaen
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Estoniaenet
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Finlandenfi
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Franceenfr
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Germanydeen
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Greeceelen
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Hungaryenhu
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Irelanden
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Italyenit
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Latviaenlv
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Lithuaniaenlt
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Luxembourgenfr
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Maltaen
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Netherlandsennl
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Norwayenno
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Polandenpl
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Portugalenpt
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Romaniaenro
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Slovakiaensk
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Sloveniaensl
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Spainenes
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Swedenensv
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United Kingdomen
