ESC Opinion: The Espoo Convention on transboundary environmental impact assessment
The Economic and Social Committee, at its 299th plenary session (23.9.1992) adopted an opinion on the Commission's proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the Community, of the Convention on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context (COM(92) 93 of 25.3.1992) known as the Espoo Convention. Recognizing that certain types of pollution can have a transboundary impact and can extend beyond the boundaries of the Community, the Committee welcomes the Espoo Convention and would request the Member States, as well as the Commission, to ratify it. Indeed, the Committee is proud that the Council Directive 85/337/EEC (25.6.1985) on the assessment of certain public and private projects on the environment, was regarded internationally as of such quality as to form the basis of this UN-ECE Convention.