Environmental Assessments and Authorizations: SEA - EIA - IPPC Permit

The European Commission has recently updated the guidance document "Interpretation of definitions of project categories of annex I and II of the EIA Directive", already published in 2008.

The objective of the document, prepared by the Environment Directorate-General in collaboration with Member State experts in EIA and SEA, is to reduce the uncertainty regarding the interpretation and scope of certain project categories listed in the EIA Directive, on the basis of the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union, operative experiences of Member States, definitions given in other directives and relevant guidance documents.

It represents the views of the Commission services and is not binding in nature; furthermore, it is not meant to be definitive as it may be revised in the future on the basis of further experience in the implementation of the EIA Directive and to reflect any future Court of Justice case laws.