Abstract

The field of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is increasingly important to the chemical industry and to industries using chemical technologies. Such industries are sometimes directly subject to EIA requirements. Industrial decision-making (eg, locations, management practices) also can be affected by EIA requirements, documents and methodology. It is prudent practice to be aware of this rapidly evolving field and of its implications for the chemical industry. This starts with understanding the meaning, origins, objectives and types of EIA. It entails appreciating EIA institutional arrangements, as reflected in EIA legislation, regulations and guidelines, as applied in EIA regulatory systems, and as expressed through regulatory reform. It requires awareness of EIA processes (activities and process design choices) and methods (for activities, for EIA specialties). It means recognizing new EIA directions and emerging priorities (eg, the link to EMS, the lessons of EIA quality, effectiveness, and good practice, how the field is being re-oriented to better integrate social and economic concerns, procedural and outcome fairness, sustainability, uncertainty and collaborative planning). It underscores the need to know where to go to obtain detailed and up-to-date information and insights about EIA requirements, theory and practice.