Government backs tougher pollution prevention requirements

LRT reports that the Cabinet has approved a package of 14 legislative amendments aimed at tightening pollution prevention and environmental and public protection requirements.

The Environment Ministry said the amendments would align Lithuanian law with the latest European Union requirements on industrial pollution prevention and the protection of water, air and the marine environment.

Under the proposals, industrial companies would have to introduce environmental management systems, prepare industrial transformation plans and use modern pollution-reduction technologies. The procedures for integrated pollution prevention and control permits would also be defined more clearly.

The changes would strengthen the public’s right to participate in environmental decision-making. Individuals would also be entitled to compensation when environmental violations cause harm to their health.

The proposals would increase penalties for breaching the conditions of integrated pollution prevention and control permits and allow income gained from such violations to be confiscated.

New EU requirements on air quality management and assessment, as well as informing the public about air pollution levels, would also be incorporated into the Air Protection Law.

Amendments to the Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater Management Law would expand wastewater collection and improve access to sanitation services for residents of smaller settlements. The proposals would require settlements with more than 1,000 residents to have centralised wastewater collection systems.

Amendments to the Marine Environmental Protection Law would tighten liability for pollution and establish requirements for transferring oil at sea to and from ships.