# EIA Act – decision on environmental conditions

Act of 3 October 2008 on the provision of information on the environment and its protection, public participation in environmental protection and environmental impact assessments (ustawa o udostępnianiu informacji o środowisku i jego ochronie, udziale społeczeństwa w ochronie środowiska oraz o ocenach oddziaływania na środowisko)

- Status: Amendments pending
- Legal order: Poland
- Legal area: Industrial emissions and permits
- Dz.U. 2026 poz. 670 (consolidated text), as amended
- Business profile: Mining, Smelting, Semi-fabrication, Recycling

## In brief

A new or extended smelter, mine or waste treatment plant requires an environmental decision before the building permit or the licence for the extraction of minerals.

## Key obligations

- obtaining a decision on environmental conditions for projects that may have a significant effect on the environment (Art. 71(2))
- the decision is issued before the building permit and the licence for the extraction of minerals (Art. 72(1))
- impact assessment and report for projects always likely to have a significant effect or where such an obligation has been established (Art. 59(1))
- application for a building permit within 6 years (10 years where phased) from the date on which the decision becomes final (Art. 72(3)–(4))

## Competent authority

Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ), head of commune / mayor / city mayor (wójt/burmistrz/prezydent miasta), district head (starosta) (Art. 75)

## Penalties

Suspension of the commissioning or use of a facility by the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) where the requirements of the decision are not met (Art. 365(2) POŚ).

## Entry into force

15.11.2008

## Application

consolidated text as at 13.05.2026; subsequent amendments Dz.U. 2026 poz. 875 (in force 1.01.2027), 1097, 1157

## Key dates

- 22.05.2026: publication of the consolidated text Dz.U. 2026 poz. 670
- 01.01.2027: entry into force of the amendments in Dz.U. 2026 poz. 875 (simplification of administrative procedures)

## Pending changes

Draft UC99 provides for making available a summary of the EMS and the results of emission monitoring of IED installations (amendments to Arts 24–25); EU: COM(2025) 984 (2025/0391(COD)).

## Related acts

- [EIA Directive (environmental impact assessment of projects)](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/eu-eia/)
- [Draft POŚ amendment implementing IED 2.0 (UC99)](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/pl-projekt-ied2/)
- [Environmental Protection Law – integrated permits, fees, penalties](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/pl-pos/)

## Official sources

- [Text of the act](https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20081991227)
- [Consolidated text](https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20260000670)
- [Sejm API / ISAP – EIA Act (ustawa OOŚ), consolidated text Dz.U. 2026 poz. 670](https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2026/670/text.pdf)
- [Sejm API – document information on the Act and amending acts](https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2008/1227)

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Register as of: 22.10.2026. The official text of the act prevails. IGMNiR. On the website: https://igmnir.org/en/law/#akt-pl-oos