Law on Environmental Impact Assessment

Serbia’s Law on Environmental Impact Assessment governs examination of a project’s possible consequences for people and the environment before it is implemented. Its subject is a specific project rather than the strategic direction of a plan. Assessment considers potential effects, measures to prevent or reduce harm and arrangements for monitoring those measures. Projects do not all follow the same procedure: the need for assessment and its scope depend on the law, the project category and the applicable lists.

The developer supplies the required information and documentation. The competent authority makes decisions at the relevant stages, provides for appropriate notice and public involvement, and decides on approval of the study. Responsibility may lie with a national, provincial or local authority, depending on the project. A study and its approval do not replace every other permit or allow protective conditions to be ignored afterwards.

Residents, associations and local communities can follow announced public inspection and hearings, examine available documents and submit reasoned comments. Useful comments identify a concrete concern: a water source, nearby homes, existing pollution, an alternative design or the proposed monitoring. Keep the announcement, submission date and decision. Procedural standing and the ability to challenge an act depend on the particular decision and applicable rules; every participant does not automatically have the same remedy.

The new law was published in Serbia’s Official Gazette 94/2024 and replaces the legislation in 135/2004 and 36/2009. Article 59 preserves the previous law for proceedings already begun. Article 64 postpones specified provisions concerning the nature conservation appropriateness assessment for two years after entry into force. That period had not expired on the verification date, 10 October 2026. Check when the procedure began and which rules apply to it.

The official source is the text adopted by Serbia’s National Assembly. This is Avangarda’s informational editorial overview and translation, not an official translation of the statute. For an individual case, consult the current law and the authority’s decision and seek qualified legal assistance when needed.

Helps you understand project assessment stages, public involvement and approval of a study, including whether the new law or transitional rules apply.

Developers, affected residents and communities, associations, specialists, journalists and competent authorities; procedural rights depend on their legal position.

When construction, expansion or a project change may affect the environment, or an application, study, public inspection or approval decision is announced.