The strategic assessment shall, in accordance with laws and regulations or other provisions, be performed for the planning documents, and also for the documents related to the use of European Union co-financing and the amendments thereof if the relevant planning documents are drawn up or adopted by the Parliament, the Cabinet of Ministers, the local government, the State local government authority, another derived public person or another entity to whom a State administration task or management of the State property has been delegated. This shall be performed for the documents such as national, regional development planning documents, sectoral policy guidelines, plans and programs, etc., the implementation of which can have a significant impact on the environment. At the European Union level, it is governed by Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. The requirements of this Directive for strategic environmental assessment are specified in the Law “On Environmental Impact Assessment” and Cabinet Regulations of 23 March 2004 No. 157 „Procedure for implementation of strategic environmental impact assessment”.

The State Environmental Monitoring Bureau (ESB) shall make a decision on the necessity to apply/not to apply the SEA procedure for the planning documents for which a strategic environmental impact assessment is not mandatory.

The strategic assessment for the planning documents is performed during their preparation, before the documents are submitted for adoption. The results of the strategic assessment are summarized in the Environmental Report.

The strategic assessment process, similar to the EIA process, provides for a public discussion of the Environmental Report and the Planning Document, which lasts for 30 days. Public information is provided during the public discussion, as well as a public discussion meeting is organized. Any interested party has the right to participate in the meeting, as well as to submit their proposals to the ESB or the developer of the Planning Document.

After the public discussion, the received opinions, submissions, the improved planning document and the Opinion on the Environmental Report shall be evaluated.

The improved Environmental Report shall be submitted to the ESB, which shall provide an Opinion on the Environmental Report within 30 days.