EU ambassadors endorse update to legislation on access to justice in environmental matters (Aarhus Regulation)
Today, EU ambassadors approved a provisional political agreement reached with the European Parliament on 12 July on a proposal to revise the Aarhus Regulation, in order to bring it fully in line with the Aarhus Convention.
The Aarhus Regulation sets out how the EU and its member states implement the international Aarhus Convention, which aims to guarantee access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. The provisional agreement is subject to approval by both institutions, after which it will be formally adopted through the ordinary legislative procedure.
The EU and its member states are highly committed to the principles of the Aarhus Convention. The agreement reached responds to the concerns laid down by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee in the case concerned and provides us with a strong basis to present our unified position at the Meeting of Parties of the Aarhus Convention in October 2021.
Tamara Weingerl PožarDeputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the EU
Tamara Weingerl PožarDeputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the EU
The aim of the proposal is to ensure that the EU fully complies with the Convention concerning the right of the public to review administrative acts. These are non-legislative acts adopted by an EU institution or body, which have legal and external effects and contain provisions that may, because of their effects, contravene environmental law.