SEA protocol

    Mindful of the need for and importance of the enhancing of international cooperation in assessing the transboundary environmental, including health, impact  of the  proposed plans and programmes, and, to the extent appropriate, policies and legislation, states of the Central and Eastern Europe have signed the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental  Impact Assessment  In a Transboundary Context.

    The objective of this Protocol is to provide for a high level of protection of the environment, including health, by establishing clear, transparent and effective
procedures for strategic environmental assessment; providing for public participation in strategic environmental assessment; contributing to the consideration of environmental, including health, concerns in the preparation of policies and legislation.

    A strategic environmental assessment shall be carried out for plans and programmes which are prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, including
 transport, regional development, waste management, and any other projects listed that require an environmental impact assessment under national legislation.

    Each Party ensures timely and effective opportunities for public participation in the strategic environmental assessment of plans and programmes.

    This Protocol was opened for signature in Kiev in May, 2003
    Ukraine signed it in May 2003.
    Protocol is not in force yet as it awaits necessary number of ratifications.