A clear algorithm for state environmental control will ensure transparent rules of operation for businesses, - Roman Shakhmatenko
Over the past 30 years of Ukraine's independence, no one has paid attention to updating legislation on state environmental control. As a result, we have an imperfect system with inconsistencies and gaps. What does this lead to? Polluting enterprises easily manipulate obligations, and inspectors do not have sufficient tools to exercise their powers (non-admission to inspections, low fines, etc.).
This was announced by Roman Shakhamatenko, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, during a press conference on draft laws 4167 on reducing industrial pollution and 3091 on state environmental control.
"Draft law No. 3091 will introduce a clear algorithm for the operation of state environmental control. Currently, the fines in the Code of Administrative Offenses are too small for large polluting enterprises. We are introducing a new system of liability for legal entities and administrative and economic sanctions, restarting the work of the State Environmental Inspectorate, and creating a fundamentally new body where the environmental inspector will have responsibility, as well as sufficient rights and powers for effective work," says Roman Shakhamatenko.
According to him, an automated system of state environmental control will be created to minimize the human factor in the inspection's work. In particular:
- the system will allow tracking every step of the inspector in time and space;
- a database of inspected business entities will appear, as well as all permits and other documents before the start of the inspection, which will reduce the time it takes;
- automatic video and audio recording of everything the inspector does;
- tracking the inspector's effectiveness from the beginning of the inspection to the moment of collecting damages and fines.
"This law will establish transparent and clear rules of work for businesses that will be difficult to circumvent. We hope that the people's deputies will support us, and soon the inspection will finally be able to exercise its powers," he concluded.
Over the past 30 years of Ukraine's independence, no one has paid attention to updating legislation on state environmental control. As a result, we have an imperfect system with inconsistencies and gaps. What does this lead to? Polluting enterprises easily manipulate obligations, and inspectors do not have sufficient tools to exercise their powers (non-admission to inspections, low fines, etc.).
This was announced by Roman Shakhamatenko, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, during a press conference on draft laws 4167 on reducing industrial pollution and 3091 on state environmental control.
"Draft Law No. 3091 will introduce a clear algorithm for the operation of state environmental control. Currently, the fines in the Code of Administrative Offenses are quite small for large polluting enterprises. We are introducing a new system of liability for legal entities and administrative and economic sanctions, restarting the work of the State Environmental Inspectorate, and creating a fundamentally new body where the environmental inspector will have responsibility, as well as sufficient rights and powers for effective work," says Roman Shakhmatenko.
According to him, an automated system of state environmental control will be created to minimize the human factor in the inspectorate's work. In particular:
- the system will allow tracking every step of the inspector in time and space;
- a database of inspected business entities will appear, as well as all permits and other documents before the start of the inspection, which will reduce the time it takes;
- automatic video and audio recording of everything the inspector does;
- tracking the inspector's effectiveness from the beginning of the inspection to the moment of collecting damages and fines.
"This law will establish transparent and clear rules of work for businesses that will be difficult to circumvent. We hope that people's deputies will support us, and soon the inspection will finally be able to exercise its powers," he concluded.