Scottish Environmental Impact Assessment regulations: consultation

Part Three - Assessing Impact

Equalities

142. An Equality Impact Assessment ( EQIA) involves assessing the impact of new or revised policies, practices or services against the requirements of the public sector equality duty. The duty requires all Public Service policy makers to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. It covers people in respect of all aspects of equality: age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity and children's wellbeing and rights.

143. Based on an initial assessment, we feel that there is unlikely to be any impact on any of the groups above.

Question 28. Do you think that the proposals presented might impact on people differently depending on characteristics such as age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity or children's rights and wellbeing?

Businesses

144. The BRIA considers if the changes will impact on business. All policy changes, whether European or domestic, which may have an impact upon business, charities or the voluntary sector must be accompanied by a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment ( BRIA).

145. Please refer to the partial BRIA which is provided as a supporting document to the consultation.

Question 29. What do you consider are the likely costs and benefits arising from the changes outlined in this consultation paper? (Please specify which of the Scottish EIA regimes your comments refer to.)

Question 30. Do you have any comments on the Draft Partial Business Regulatory Impact Assessment?

Strategic Environmental Assessment

146. We consider that the proposed changes to legislation required through the implementation of the Directive are likely to have no or minimal impacts on the environment. The proposals set out in the Consultation Paper have been pre-screened in accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005.

147. We are however, inviting views on these proposed changes through this consultation process. As the changes to legislation are further defined, and in light of responses to the consultation, the potential for environmental effects will be reviewed in accordance with the 2005 Act.