Environmental Code (1998:808)

The Environmental Code, issued by the Ministry of Climate and Business, aims to promote sustainable development and ensure the protection of human health, the environment, valuable natural and cultural sites and biological diversity as well as to promote the long-term responsible management of land and water-based ecosystems and the responsible reuse and recycling of raw materials and energy. The Code applies to a wide range of activities with potential impacts on human health and the environment within the territorial border and outside of the territorial border in Sweden's continental shelf and economic zone.
Chapter 3 of the Code describes basic regulations for managing land and water areas and details special land use interests of priority to the state, including agriculture, forestry, reindeer husbandry, commercial fishing and deposits of materials of national interest.
Chapter 5 of the Code establishes the right of the government to establish environmental quality standards for specific regions or the country as a whole that must be considered by authorities when granting or renewing a permit for an activity with potential environmental impacts. Such standards must specify:
1) a maximum threshold of pollution or disturbance levels that people may be exposed to or that the environment may be burdened with without danger of significant inconvenience;
2) a (lower) target threshold of pollution or disturbance levels that must be aimed for;
3) highest and lowest occurrence in surface and groundwater of organisms that can serve as a guide for assessment of the state of the environment;
4) environmental quality requirements in line with Sweden's membership to the EU.
Chapter 6 of the Code contains provisions on the identification, description and assessment of environmental effects when planning and deciding on plans and programs (strategic environmental assessments) and activities and measures (specific environmental assessments).
Chapter 9 of the Code contains general provisions on environmentally hazardous activities and health protection. 

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