SEA Directive has entered into force

Publication date: 21 July 2004

Today, the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive has entered into force, requiring public authorities at national and local levels to assess the environmental effects of a wide range of public plans and programmes.  But so far, only nine Member States (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and the UK) have fully implemented the directive.

oj_l197_sea.pdf (127 KB)

Local waste management plans or road building plans for regions are examples that come under the SEA directive. It will also apply to  tourism, land use, agriculture, water management, industry and energy. When drawing up relevant plans or programmes public authorities will have to make an environmental report to identify, describe and assess their likely effects on the environment. Amongst the effects to be covered are those on biodiversity, fauna and flora, soil and water, climatic factors, landscape and on human health.

The SEA Directive enables everybody to express their opinion on the environmental report and on the draft plan or programme. Both the environmental report and the outcome of the public consultation must be taken into account when the plans are decided upon.

For more information:
Commission Press Release (IP/04/975)

ip_04_975_sea.pdf (89 KB)