Mission and Duties
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) is responsible for proposing, developing and monitoring the implementation of environmental policies, particularly in the context of integrating the environment into sectoral policies, including health and transport and in tackling climate change, protection ozone, air quality, prevention and control of noise, waste recovery and use of soil and other contaminated sites, prevention and control integrated pollution, prevention of major industrial hazards, environmental safety and populations, eco-labeling, green purchasing and voluntary environmental management.
To support the formulation, development and monitoring of environmental policies, APA is responsible for SNIAmb, National Information System Environment, founded on a set of strategic partnerships nationally and internationally. In this connection, APA provides, maintains and disseminates the reference center for environmental data and promotes the integrated analysis of the results of monitoring the implementation of policies and measures, producing reports, statements of the state and pressures on the environment is subject;
In the field of climate change APA is the Competent Authority for the EU ETS (European Trade Licensing Issue) with responsibilities for national coordination and system administration of the National Registry of Emission Allowances. It is also the Competent Authority for SNIERPA (National Inventory of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of air pollutants), through which it is made monitoring of compliance with Kyoto targets.
APA is also National Authority for Environmental Impact Assessment; in this field it develops and follows the methodology of environmental impact assessment, coordinates the activities of CCDR as Authorities Environmental Impact Assessment and carries out environmental impact assessment of major projects. APA is also the National Authority for Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programs (Strategic Environmental Assessment).
APA is the National Authority for the Prevention and Control of Integrated Pollution; in this field manages the process of environmental licensing of large facilities, and monitors and evaluates the compliance of permit conditions. APA is also the Competent Authority for the European register of emissions and transfers of pollutants, PRTR (European Pollutant realease and Transfer Register).
APA is the National Waste Authority; in this framework proposes, develops and monitors the implementation of strategies for waste management, and exercise the powers of the licensing of waste management operations and the management entities of specific waste streams, and administrative and operational control of shipments of waste. APA promotes the organization and regulation of the organized market of waste (MOR).
APA is also the competent authority for the system of environmental responsibility.
In the field of emergencies and environmental risks, APA as to ensure the adoption of measures necessary to protect human health and the environment, develop and implement frameworks for managing risks, including ensuring the consideration of technological risks in the planning instruments territorial, and assessing the risks from chemicals and genetically modified organisms, and to propose measures to manage environmental risks.
APA ensures the operation of the warning network in continuous radioactivity in the environment, the management of emergency response radiological and nuclear, which results or may result in risk to the environment and population.
APA is responsible for promoting the various voluntary instruments for environmental management, including the Eco-Community, Local Agenda 21 and the Community eco-management and Audit Scheme, EMAS.In the case of EMAS the APA is the national Competent Body responsible for the registration of the member organizations and the qualification of inspectors, authorities responsible for verification and validation of environmental statements.
In the field of voluntary instruments, APA is still Organization for Standardization Sector for environmental management and air quality.
APA also develops and monitors the implementation of policies on environmental education, promotes and accompanying forms of support for environmental NGOs, and promotes public participation and access to information in decision-making on the environment.
In the context of environmental issues specific to BB exerts its own powers of licensing, qualification, production of technical standards and uniform procedures.
The Laboratory of the Environment, as part of APA, develops implements and participates in the accreditation of analytical methodologies in environmental and methods for assessing air quality.