1. Reason for the Amendment

In accordance with the amendment of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Law No. 20518, promulgated on October 22, 2024, and effective on October 23, 2025), this amendment aims to define matters delegated to the enforcement decree, such as the scope, criteria, and procedures for in-depth and rapid assessments. It also clarifies the targets for changes or re-consultations in strategic environmental impact assessments, rationalizes simplified assessment procedures, and strengthens the obligation for unregistered technicians to undergo training, addressing operational gaps.

2. Main Contents

a. Establishment of criteria and review targets for in-depth or rapid assessments (New Articles 67-2 and 67-5)

Defines the targets for in-depth or rapid assessments and establishes detailed environmental impact review criteria for classifying these assessments.

b. Public hearings for in-depth assessment projects (New Articles 67-3 to 67-4)

Specifies the procedures and methods for holding public hearings for in-depth assessment projects, situations where public hearings may be omitted, and the collection of public opinions when hearings are omitted, aligning with general environmental impact assessments.

c. Decision on projects subject to rapid assessments (New Article 67-6)

Details the procedures and methods for collecting public opinions, deliberation by the Environmental Impact Assessment Council, and public disclosure of the results for deciding on rapid assessment projects.

d. Creation and review of environmental conservation plans for rapid assessment projects (New Articles 67-7 to 67-9)

Establishes the method for preparing environmental conservation plans for rapid assessment projects and specifies that the Minister of Environment may consult relevant specialized agencies when reviewing these plans.

e. Minor changes in the project plan for rapid assessment projects (New Article 67-10)

Defines minor project plan changes for rapid assessment projects that do not require re-conducting an environmental impact assessment or small-scale environmental impact assessment.

f. Delegation of decision-making on rapid assessment projects (Article 77)

Consolidates the decision-making on rapid assessment projects, including the collection of public opinions and deliberations by the Environmental Impact Assessment Council, under the authority of the Minister of Environment.

g. Rationalization and clarification of simplified strategic environmental impact assessment procedures (New Article 10-2)

Improves the process for the simplified strategic environmental impact assessment by allowing simultaneous collection of opinions from residents and relevant agencies and clarifies the use of the term "simplified strategic environmental impact report" instead of "draft strategic environmental impact report."

h. Clarification of the basis for changes and re-consultations when excluded from strategic environmental impact assessments (New Annex 2)

If a project has already undergone strategic, environmental, or small-scale assessments, any subsequent changes in the project plan will be considered as having been consulted, establishing the basis for the revision or re-consultation of the strategic assessment.

i. Strengthening of environmental impact assessment technician training (New Annex 5-3)