Special edition – novelties in environment law

Environmental Code of RK dated 9 January 2007 has been amended as part of the larger government initiative for fundamental improvement of business environment in Kazakhstan.

Some of the most significant amendments are outlined below.

Concerning Environmental Impact Assessment:

Duration of environmental seal of approval extended:

i. project documentation: for I, II and III categories objects – up to ten calendar years (it used to be up to five years before); for IV category objects – unlimited (it used to be five years before);

ii. for construction facilities – is set by summary independent expert conclusions.

Terms of Environmental Impact Assessment reduced:

i. for I category objects – two months, re-examination – one month;

ii. for II category objects – one month, re-examination – ten working days;

iii. for III and IV categories objects – ten working days (it used to be one month before), re-examination – five working days (it used to be ten days before) from the date when the documents were obtained by government expert body.

Concerning Emission Permits:

The list of required documents to be tendered for the permit is significantly shortened.

The terms of consideration of application is reduced

i. I category – no more than two months;

ii. II category – no more than one month;

iii. III category – no more than ten working days (it used to be one month before);

iv. IV category – no more than five working days (it used to be one month before);

Duration of the permit is extended (I, II and III categories objects – ten years (it used to be five years before); IV category objects – unlimited.

Information contained in this Client Update is of general nature and cannot be used as legal advice or recommendation. Please seek a lawyer for a specific advice. Please note that Kazakhstan is an emerging economy and its legislation and legal system are in constant development. Should you have any questions or would like to discuss matters addressed in this Client Update, please contact us.