FEU proposes to extend the validity of declarations on waste treatment

Companies engaged in waste treatment operations may lose their right to operate due to the expiration of environmental declarations. The Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FEU) warns of the risk of such entities ceasing operations and calls on the government to ensure their continued functioning during the transition period.

With the entry into force of the Law of Ukraine “On Integrated Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution” No. 3855-IX, a transition to a new system of integrated environmental permits is envisaged. According to the law, existing environmental permits are to expire no later than August 8, 2029, four years after the document comes into force or from the moment the enterprise receives an integrated permit.

However, until the integrated permit system is actually operational, there is legal uncertainty. The validity period of declarations submitted in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1137 of October 31, 2023, expired on June 15, 2025. This creates the risk of waste processing companies ceasing operations, which would have a negative impact on the environmental situation and the secondary raw materials market.

To avoid such a development, the FEU proposes to amend paragraph 2 of Resolution No. 1137, extending the validity of the submitted declarations until the enterprises receive integrated environmental permits, but no later than August 8, 2031.

According to the Federation’s assessment, this decision will make it possible to avoid additional costs for businesses, preserve jobs, and ensure a stable transition to the new environmental regulation system without disrupting the work of enterprises.

As GMK Center reported earlier, the FEU spoke out against the initiative to restore state supervision in the environmental sphere, in particular, inspections by the State Environmental Inspection and state market control measures. The FEU believes that such actions are premature and will create additional administrative and financial pressure on businesses operating in conditions of military aggression.