Resource information
This Act provides rules for the prevention of pollution of the environment. The Act consists of 96 sections divided into 13 Chapters: Introductory provisions (I); General provisions relative to pollution (II); Permits for activities which may bring about pollution, impact assessment statements (III); Special rules relative to water discharge installations (IV); Provisions relative to waste (V); Acute pollution (VI); Control of pollution by waste (VII); Voluntary participation by companies in the industrial sector in a Community Eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS Scheme) (VIIA); Compensations for ecological damages (VIII); Enforcement of provisions of the Act. Measures in the framework of the Act (IX); Provisions of an administrative nature and relationship to the Administration Act (XI); Final provisions (XII).Section 2 contains a set of basic principles and guidelines. The Act does not apply to pollution by genetically modified organisms (sect. 3). The Act does apply to pollution in the Norwegian economic zone and to exploration and exploitation on the Continental Shelf. Section 6 gives a definition of 'pollution' which includes pollution of water, soil, and air. Chapter IV contains rules relative to the discharge of wastewater. It lays down criteria for transport and treatment of water, connection to existing works, and the treatment of mud by municipalities.
Implemented by: Decree relative to measures to counteract pollution from underground oil tanks. (1997-04-10)
Implemented by: Decree relative to waste water from minor drainage systems. (2000-04-12)
Implemented by: Decree relative to definition of the term oil and oily substances for purposes of the Oil Pollution Damage Act (No. 18 of 1974) (1974-06-18)
Implemented by: Decree No. 945 of 1997 extending the geographical application sphere of the fifth comma of section 74 of the Pollution Control Act. (1997-08-22)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1394 on the implementation of the Pollution Act with regard to radioactive contamination and radioactive waste. (2010-11-01)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1060 amending the Pollution Control Regulation. (2013-09-04)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 77 amending the Pollution Regulation's Chapter 20 on waste and cargo residue delivery and reception by ships. (2014-01-29)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 835 on household waste and sludge in Aalesund Region, the coastal municipality, Moere and Romsdal. (2013-06-26)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 836 on household waste and sludge in Aalesund Region, Stordal municipality, Moere and Romsdal. (2013-06-26)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 838 on household waste and sludge in Aalesund Region, Oerskog municipality, Moere and Romsdal. (2013-06-27)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 670 on compulsory disposal of sludge from private sewage systems in Aremark municipality, Østfold. (2014-04-24)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 902 on management of household waste, municipal Rygge, Østfold. (2014-05-22)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1160 amending Waste Regulation on recycling of waste. (2014-09-08)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1257 on the opening burning and incineration of waste in Gjemnes municipality, Møre og Romsdal. (2014-09-09)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1379 on sanitation, Lyngdal and Farsund municipalities, Vest-Agder. (2014-11-06)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1928 on open burning and incineration of waste, Stryn Municipality, Sogn and Fjordane. (2014-12-18)
Implemented by: Decree No. 1442 of 1997 to regulate dredging and dumping in the sea and watercourses. (1997-12-04)
Implemented by: Decree prohibiting the discharge of waste water from ships in watercourses and areas near to the coast (No. 663 of 1998). (1998-06-12)
Implemented by: Decree No. 1061 of 1997 relative to interventions in the open sea and in the Norwegian economic zone in case of marine pollution and risk of pollution by oil and other polluting substances caused accidents of ships. (2007-01-25)
Implemented by: Decree relative to communications pursuant to the Pollution Act (No. 1327 of 1983). (1983-07-11)
Implemented by: Decree relative to handling of applications made under the Pollution Act (No. 1328 of 1983). (1983-07-11)
Implemented by: Decree relative to cleaning of discharged water (No. 912 of 1996). (1996-09-17)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 684 on greasy wastewater in Eidskog municipality, Hedmark. (2014-05-08)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1213 on disposal of municipal waste, Municipality of Tinn, Telemark. (2014-09-17)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1310 on disposal of sludge separators, containers and provisions for payment of fees, Oppdal Municipality, Sor-Trondelag. (2014-10-15)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1382 on administrative costs for oily wastewater, Melhus Municipality, Soer-Troendelag. (2014-11-11)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 1042 amending the Regulation on the recycling of waste. (2015-09-09)
Implemented by: Decree relative to waste sludge. (1996-09-27)
Implemented by: Decree relative to animal manure (No. 1093 of 1998). (1998-11-26)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 516 on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). (2008-05-30)
Implemented by: Water Management Regulation No. 1446. (2006-12-15)
Implemented by: Regulation No. 931 on Pollution Control (Pollution Control Regulation). (2004-06-01)
Implemented by: Waste Regulation No. 930. (2004-06-01)
Amended by: Act on amendment to the Environment Act (No. 48 of 2013). (2013-06-14)
Amends: Act No. 63 of 1970: Nature Conservation Act. (2008-04-04)
