This report gives an introduction to the Swedish system for environmental protection and the legal framework that governs it. To provide a better understanding of the motives and purpose of the system, the report starts with a brief look at how environmental legislation in Sweden has evolved over time to become the system of today.

Swedish environmental law has developed out of general principles ofcivil law. It was not until Swedish industrialisation in the late 19thcenturythat the first “real” environmental legislation started to emerge. The development of environmental legislation in Sweden was to a large extent driven by the new challenges that society was facing due to industrialisation.

A major consolidation and reform of the environment legal framework in Sweden took place in 1999 when the Environmental Code entered into force, replacing fifteen previous environmental acts. The aim of this reform was to reduce the number of acts dating from various eras which made the environmental legislation complex and fragmented, and therefore harder to enforce. Sweden’s membership in the European Community in 1995 also necessitated a review of the legal framework structure.

The purpose of the Environmental Code is to promote sustainable development. It is applicable to all persons and operators who undertake activities or measures which could impact on the fulfilment of the objectives of the Environmental Code. Its provisions concern, amongst other, management of land and water, nature conservation, protection of flora and fauna, environmentally hazardous activities, water operations, genetic engineering, chemical products and waste management. Consequently, the Environmental Code has a broad scope.

Apart from material provisions, the Environmental Code also sets out the basic framework for implementing environmental protection through its provisions on procedure, supervision, sanctions as well as provisions on compensation and environmental damages. This includes provisions which set out a permit regime for environmentally hazardous activities as well as for water operations.

Many activities and operations are subject to permit, and may not commence until a permit has been issued by the competent authority. The permit for environmentally hazardous activities and/or water operations sets out the scope for the activity concerned. It must also state the conditions under which the activity may be carried out.

The legal framework governing the permit regime, as well as supervision and sanctions, is described in this report. This will hopefully provide the reader with an overview of the whole system for environmental protection in Sweden.