# Act on the prevention and remedying of environmental damage

Act of 13 April 2007 on the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (ustawa o zapobieganiu szkodom w środowisku i ich naprawie)

- Status: In force
- Legal order: Poland
- Legal area: Industrial emissions and permits
- Dz.U. 2020 poz. 2187 (consolidated text)
- Business profile: Mining, Smelting, Semi-fabrication, Recycling, Scrap trade, Waste shipments

## In brief

Transposition of the ELD: operation of installations holding an integrated or emission permit, waste management and waste transport constitute activities posing a risk of damage (liability without fault).

## Key obligations

- preventive action without delay where there is an imminent threat of damage (Art. 9(1))
- where damage has occurred – limiting the damage and taking remedial action (Art. 9(2))
- notification without delay of the threat or damage to the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) and the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) (Art. 11(1))
- agreeing the conditions of remedial action with the RDOŚ (Art. 13(1))
- joint and several liability of several perpetrators and of the land holder with its knowledge (Art. 12(1)–(2))

## Competent authority

Regional Director for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) (Art. 7(1)); Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (WIOŚ)

## Penalties

Fine for failure to take preventive or remedial action and for failure to notify (Art. 28(1)–(2)); RDOŚ decision imposing an obligation to act (Art. 15(1)(2)).

## Entry into force

30.04.2007

## Application

from 30.04.2007

## Related acts

- [Environmental Liability Directive (ELD)](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/eu-eld/)
- [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=WDU20070750493)
- [Consolidated text](https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20200002187)
- [Sejm API – consolidated text Dz.U. 2020 poz. 2187](https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2020/2187/text.pdf)
- [Sejm API – document information on the Act (last amending act Dz.U. 2020 poz. 1337)](https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2007/493)

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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-szkody