In the Netherlands, the Law on the Protection and Utilization of the Physical Living Environment (Omgevingswet) was promulgated on March 23, 2016. Its aim is to establish comprehensive, effective and simplified rules covering all aspects of environmental management, including environmental planning, activity supervision, permit systems, responsibilities and obligations, etc.

1. General Provisions

Definitions and Scope of Application:

Clearly define the concepts and definitions applicable to the law. It applies to the physical living environment and related activities, including partial applications in the exclusive economic zone.

Objectives:

Oriented towards sustainable development, it aims to ensure the livability of the country, protect and improve the living environment, achieve a safe, healthy and good quality environment, and manage and utilize environmental resources rationally.

Responsibilities and Obligations:

Stipulate that everyone has the responsibility to protect the physical living environment. For activities that may have a negative impact, preventive, restrictive or cessation measures need to be taken.

2. Duties and Powers of Government Agencies

Performance of Duties:

Government agencies such as municipalities, provinces, the national government and water management departments perform their duties in accordance with the law, taking into account the coordination of various aspects of the environment and related interests.

Planning and Development:

Government agencies at all levels formulate environmental plans, water management regulations and provincial environmental regulations respectively, and may delegate some of their duties.

Setting of Environmental Values:

Government agencies at all levels set environmental values according to the law, including the ideal state of the environment, allowable activity loads and substance concentrations, etc., and clarify the responsibilities and time limits for achieving these values.

3. Environmental Visions and Plans

Environmental Visions:

Municipalities, provinces and the national government formulate environmental visions respectively, which include descriptions of environmental quality, development plans and comprehensive policies.

Plan Formulation:

Government agencies at all levels can formulate various types of plans. Some plans are mandatory, such as plans for dealing with noise pollution and water resource management. The plan content covers policy implementation, action measures and considerations of environmental values.

4. Rules for Activities in the Physical Living Environment

Activity Supervision:

Regulate activities that may affect the environment through environmental plans, water management regulations and provincial environmental regulations. The national government can also formulate relevant rules.

Special Provisions:

Specific regulatory requirements and standards are formulated for different types of activities, such as construction, waste disposal and water resource utilization, to ensure that the environmental impact of activities is controllable.

5. Environmental Permits and Project Decisions

Environmental Permits:

Stipulate that many activities require environmental permits, and clearly define the scope of permit applications, approval agencies and evaluation standards. The permit content includes relevant regulations, time limit settings, and conditions for change and revocation.

Project Decisions:

Project decisions are the responsibility of specific government agencies and need to follow certain procedures, including project planning, evaluation and implementation, to ensure that projects are in line with environmental and public interests.

6. Other Provisions:

These include regulations on,

• land development, involving cost accounting, development area setting and fee collection;

• financial regulations covering fee collection, compensation and financial guarantees;

• procedural regulations related to e government, coordination and participation, monitoring and reporting, etc.;

• and regulations on management measures and responsibilities in special situations (such as emergencies and archaeological discoveries).