Author(s): Ágnes VÁRADI

Title: ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES (Remarks to the concept of regulatory impact assessment and public consultation with special regard to environmental matters)

Source: E. Korcsmáros (ed.): 12th International Conference of J. Selye University. Economics Section. Conference Proceedings

ISBN: 978-80-8122-375-4

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36007/3754.2020.383

Publisher: J. Selye University, Komárno, Slovakia

PY, pages: 2020, 383-394

Published on-line: 2020

Language: en

Abstract: Impact assessment, especially the evaluation of economic, environmental and social implications of planned measures has become a general requirement in legislative processes. Several databases are available on impact assessment schemes; there is a growing demand from international organizations, civil society and scholars that social and economic interests affected by a possible regulation as well as sectorial experience are channelled into the shaping of public policies. The current paper aims to contribute to this goal by providing a summary on the concept of regulatory impact assessment and its relationship with public consultations. As in environmental matters the framework of public involvement is well-elaborated both at the level of international standards and EU law, environmental legislation shall be a main point of reference. Furthermore, it is intended to examine on the basis of the decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union, how the court interprets the role of public consultation and impact assessments in decision-making processes. Through the combination of the descriptive analytical and the case-based approach, the analysis might contribute to a better understanding of the concept of regulatory impact assessment with special regard to its relationship to public consultation. At the same time, it can provide theoretical foundations, which might support the implementation of the goals of public participation in national laws and the comparability of national solutions in international context.

Keywords: impact assessment, public consultation, legislative process, environmental matters

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