The State Environmental Inspectorate is being reformed in Ukraine: what will change in 2025
25 June 2025 19:45
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the Strategy for Reforming State Environmental Control until 2029. The Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Hrynchuk wrote about this on her official Facebook page on June 25, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The head of the relevant ministry immediately emphasized that this decision is not only of domestic importance, but also demonstrates to international partners, including the EU, Ukraine’s readiness to implement systemic environmental reform.
Hrynchuk explained that the new strategy envisages a transition from a “punitive” model of control to a preventive one. It is aimed at preventing environmental damage, using modern digital technologies, and increasing responsibility for environmental violations.
One of the basic principles is the introduction of a risk-based approach to planning inspections, which is in line with the practices of the European Union.
The government plans to launch the reform in stages through pilot projects in three territorial districts: Polissia, Southwest, and Central. The main goal is to test the new tools under real-life conditions and prepare legislative changes and governmental acts for further deployment.
The main steps of the strategy include:
Optimization of state supervision functions. Duplication of functions between agencies will be eliminated. Environmental control will be carried out by a single integrated body.
New principles of responsibility. Enterprises will not only pay fines for violations, but will also be required to remedy the damage caused to people and the environment.
Institutional transformation. The State Environmental Inspectorate is being reformed on the basis of environmental and resource and environmental and technological division.
Read also: Unscheduled fuel quality inspections at gas stations resumed in Ukraine
Technical upgrade. The creation of modern laboratories with a wide range of tests will improve the collection of evidence and the objectivity of inspections.
Rapid response. Ukraine will have an environmental response service that will work around the clock.
The Government has placed a special emphasis on investing in human capital. The updated system provides for salary increases, transparent competitions, insurance, professional development and employment of veterans.
In addition to competitive salaries, transparent competitions for positions, life and disability insurance for inspectors, a system of professional development and continuous training for inspectors will be introduced. Special attention will also be paid to the employment of war veterans,” emphasized Ms. Hrynchuk.
In parallel with the adoption of the strategy, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the procedure for cross-border consultations when issuing integrated permits. This is another step towards Ukraine’s accession to the International Agreement on the High Seas. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to sign a corresponding decree in the near future, which will pave the way for the ratification of the agreement.
Hrynchuk is confident that the implementation of the strategy will harmonize the environmental control system with European standards, reduce the administrative burden on business and improve the investment climate in the field of resource use and environmental protection.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
