● Overview of EIA in Cambodia

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a mandatory environmental safeguarding tool in Cambodia, designed to ensure that development projects are planned and implemented in a manner that prevents, minimizes, or mitigates adverse environmental and social impacts. The EIA system supports Cambodia’s national objectives for sustainable development, natural resource protection, and public participation in decision making.
In Cambodia, EIA applies to both public and private development projects, including proposed, existing, and ongoing activities that may significantly affect the environment. All EIA reports are reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) prior to project approval by relevant authorities. 

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​● Legal and Institutional Framework for EIA 

​▶ Core Legal Instruments: The Environmental Impact Assessment system in Cambodia is governed by the following key laws and regulations:

1. Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management (1996)
   This framework law establishes the obligation to assess environmental impacts for development projects and mandates environmental safeguards in project planning and implementation. 

2. Sub‑Decree No. 72 អនក្រ.បក on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (1999)
   This is the principal regulation governing EIA procedures in Cambodia. It:

   • Requires EIAs for all public and private projects listed in its annex;

   • Mandates MoE review and approval before project authorization;

   • Requires monitoring of Environmental Management Plans (EMP) throughout the project lifecycle.

3. Environmental and Natural Resources Code (2023)
   The Code modernizes Cambodia’s environmental governance and strengthens EIA enforcement, monitoring, and consultant accreditation requirements. 

4. Prakas No. 3591.0525ប្រក ប.ស្ថ/វហប on Classification of Development Projects for EIA (2025)
   Issued by the Ministry of Environment, this Prakas replaces Prakas No. 021ប្រក ប.ស្ថ (2020) and expands the classification of projects requiring environmental review from 197 to 238 project types, with clearer screening thresholds and timelines. 

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● Legal Requirement for EIA

Under Cambodian law:
      • No project may be approved or implemented without MoE consideration of its environmental assessment.
      • The type of environmental document required depends on the project’s scale, sector, and potential impacts.
      • Compliance with approved Environmental Management Plans (EMP) is legally binding and subject to inspection and enforcement by the MoE.
Failure to comply may result in:
       • Suspension or cancellation of approval,
       • Administrative penalties,
       • Revocation of operating licenses.

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● Types of Projects Requiring EIA in Cambodia 

​▶Classification of Environmental Assessment: Under Prakas No. 3591.0525ប្រក ប.ស្ថ/វហប on Classification of Development Projects for EIA (2025), development projects are classified into three categories:

1. Low Environmental and Social Impact Projects

   • Require an Environmental Protection Contract (EPC) and EMP

   • MoE review period: up to 30 working days. 

2. Medium Environmental and Social Impact Projects

   • Require an Initial Environmental Impact Assessment (IEIA)

   • MoE review period: up to 60 working days. 

3. High or Serious Environmental and Social Impact Projects

   • Require a Full Environmental Impact Assessment (FEIA)

   • MoE review period: up to 90 working days. 

▶Project Sectors Commonly Requiring EIA:  Projects commonly subject to IEIA or FEIA include:

• Hydropower and energy projects

• Mining and quarrying

• Industrial manufacturing plants

• Special economic zones (SEZs)

• Infrastructure (roads, ports, airports, railways)

• Tourism resorts and large real estate developments

• Agro‑industry and plantation projects

• Waste treatment and landfill facilities.

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● Who Can Conduct an EIA Study in Cambodia? 

​▶Accreditation Requirement: Since February 2024, only Ministry of Environment–accredited EIA consultant companies are legally permitted to conduct EIA studies in Cambodia.
This requirement is established under Prakas No. 08 ប្រក.ប.ស្ថ/វហប (2024) on Accreditation of EIA Consultant Companies.
Only MoE licensed companies may prepare IEIA, FEIA, and related EIA reports for submission and approval.

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▶Conditions for EIA Consultant Accreditation: To be accredited by the MoE, an EIA consultant company must:

• Be legally registered in Cambodia;

• Possess a qualified organizational structure, including:

  • Director

  • General Manager

  • Technical Team Leader

  • Environmental Experts

• Demonstrate technical capacity and experience;

• Obtain an official Letter of Approval (EIA License) valid for 5 years, renewable upon re‑registration.

▶Foreign Consultants: Foreign EIA companies may participate only if:

• They are accredited by the MoE; or

• They cooperate formally with a licensed Cambodian EIA consultant company.​

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