Reasons for Proposal
While the current Act does not have an effective period in place when permitting the installation of air pollutant-emitting facilities, it may cause problems that air pollutants are emitted more than at the time of permission due to old facilities even though in the past air pollutants were emitted under the permissible emission levels, or new air pollutants, which have never been emitted before, are now being emitted. In addition, neighboring residents have a high level of concern and anxiety about various diseases due to exposure to air pollutants, and they do not know the exact details of air pollutant emissions in their region.
In this regard, this Act aims to define 5 years as the permission effective period for the installation of air pollutant-emitting facilities, require the renewal of permission before the effective period expires to strictly manage and supervise old emitting facilities, and require the Mayor/Do Governor and the head of any local environmental agency to inform residents of the results of any investigation, so those living near emitting facilities can be aware of the permission of emitting facilities, which reflects an effort to improve the health and safety of residents.
Furthermore, this Act allows stricter permissible emission levels to be applied to facilities near areas used by infants and children as prescribed by Presidential Decree such as kindergartens, elementary schools, and childcare centers to guarantee the rights to receive education in a healthy and safe environment (Article 16 paragraph 1, Article 17 paragraph 2, and Article 23-2 newly inserted).
Major Provisions
- Define 5 years as the permission effective period for the installation of air pollutant-emitting facilities, and require the renewal of permission before the effective period expires (Article 23-2 newly inserted).
- Allow stricter permissible emission levels to be applied to facilities near areas used by infants and children as prescribed by Presidential Decree (Article 16 paragraph 1, Article 17 paragraph 2, and Article 23-2 newly inserted).
