LICENSE GUIDE
Environmental Compliance Certificate in Laos
QUICK ANSWER
At a Glance
Who Needs This
Investment projects and activities on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment list that require an IEE or ESIA.
Conditions and thresholds
- The assessment follows the official writing guideline and ensures public involvement.
- It is prepared by an environmental service provider licensed by the ministry.
Documents to Prepare
The government record lists the following for a first application:
- List of the Team Members for Environment Assessment Comittee
- License to Provide Environmental Services
- Application Form
- Environment Assessment
- Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan
- Scope of Study and Responsibility in Environment Assessment
- Feasibility Study
- Minutes of Consultation with Village
The authority may ask for more, and foreign documents may need translation or notarization.
Fees and Timing
| Service (kip) | Certificate (kip) | Application (kip) | Total (kip) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First issue | 36,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 0 | 37,000,000 |
| Renewal | 1,500,000 | 500,000 | 0 | 2,000,000 |
The record cites Ordinance 003/PO. For hydropower concessions, it adds a further 5 million kip service fee.
The listed total combines 15 working days for terms of reference, 10 for ESIA review and 95 for technical review, among other stages. Listed time: 175 days.
NED now cites Ordinance 002/PO (2021) for registration fees, so confirm the current amount here too.
Legal Basis
| Instrument | Number | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Law on Environment Protection (Revised) | 29/NA | 18 Dec 2012 |
| Decision on the Approval and Declaration of the List of Investment Projects and Activities that shall conduct Initial Environmental Examination or Environmental and Social Impact Assessment | 8056/MONRE | 17 Dec 2013 |
| Decree on the Compensation and Resettlement from the Development Project | 84/GOV | 5 Apr 2016 |
| Decision in the Approval and Enactment of the List of Investment Projects and Business Activities that Required the Initial Study of Environment Impacts or Assessment on Social and Environment Impacts | 0856/MONRE | 17 Dec 2013 |
| Legal instrument (title not given in the record) | 4392 | 25 Aug 2022 |
AQQOUNT Guidance
This is often the longest step in a project, so start it early. Check your project against the current list, because the record says the list was under amendment.
See all All Businesses licenses, or open the official record: Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).