How to Get an EIA Report in Antalya: Step-by-Step Guide
A Brief Introduction to the EIA Process
This guide is written for investors and business owners who are planning to build a new facility in Antalya or expand an existing one. It answers one question: is my project subject to the ÇED (Çevresel Etki Değerlendirmesi – Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA) process, and if so, what steps do I need to follow to obtain an EIA decision?
Environmental Impact Assessment is a pre-approval process that must be completed before an investment begins. Addressing it as soon as the project idea takes shape helps avoid delays and costs that could otherwise arise later.
What Is EIA and Which Businesses Does It Concern?
EIA is a statutory assessment process carried out before an investment to identify the potential environmental impacts of a planned project and to set out measures that will reduce those impacts. The process follows the ÇED Yönetmeliği (EIA Regulation) currently in force; the up-to-date text of the regulation is available through the Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (Turkish Legislation Information System).
The regulation classifies projects into lists according to their type and capacity. The general framework is as follows:
Projects in the Ek-1 (Annex I) list: These are projects considered to have a high environmental impact. An EIA Report is prepared directly for these projects, and the process is conducted at the level of the Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı (Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change).
Projects in the Ek-2 (Annex II) list: These projects are subject to selection and screening criteria. A Proje Tanıtım Dosyası (PTD – Project Introduction File) is prepared and reviewed by the provincial directorate. At the end of the review, a decision of either "ÇED Gereklidir" (EIA Required) or "ÇED Gerekli Değildir" (EIA Not Required) is issued.
Projects not included in the lists or falling below the threshold values: For these projects, an out-of-scope assessment can be requested from the relevant provincial directorate. Many authorities ask for this letter at the licensing stage.
Mines and quarries, tourism facilities, energy investments, industrial and manufacturing plants, livestock operations, waste facilities and large infrastructure projects may fall into one of these lists depending on their capacity. A capacity increase or a change in production at an existing facility may also require a new assessment.
How Does the EIA Process Work, Step by Step?
The EIA process begins with determining which list the project falls under and ends with the decision issued by the competent authority. The steps in between differ depending on whether the project falls under Annex I or Annex II.
1. Classifying the project
The first task is to compare the project's type and capacity with the lists in the regulation. At this stage, not only the main activity but also auxiliary units, additional capacities and other activities on the same site should be taken into account. An incorrect classification can mean the process has to start again from the beginning.
2. Reviewing the site and land status
The zoning status, ownership and protection status of the project site are checked. Proximity to forest areas, the coastline, water resources, protected heritage sites (sit alanları) and other sensitive areas may require opinions from the relevant authorities. This review is important to prevent the file from stalling at later stages.
3. Preparing the file
A Project Introduction File is prepared for Annex II projects, and an EIA Report for Annex I projects. The file covers the technical description of the project, the resources to be used, the waste and emissions to be generated, the environmental impacts and the measures to be taken against them. EIA Reports and PTDs are prepared by institutions and organisations that hold a certificate of competence from the Ministry.
4. Public participation and scoping for Annex I projects
For Annex I projects, a public participation meeting is held at a location close to the project site and the views of local residents are gathered. This is followed by a scoping stage involving the relevant authorities, which clarifies the topics the report must cover, and the report is then prepared within that framework.
5. Review and evaluation
The prepared file is reviewed by the competent authority; for Annex I projects, a commission made up of representatives of the relevant institutions evaluates the report. Corrections may be requested on points considered incomplete or unclear. The report or file is also made available for public comment.
6. Decision
At the end of the process, Annex II projects receive either an "EIA Required" or "EIA Not Required" decision, while Annex I projects receive either a "ÇED Olumlu" (EIA Positive) or "ÇED Olumsuz" (EIA Negative) decision. A positive decision is a precondition for the project to move on to construction and other permitting stages. The commitments made alongside the decision are monitored throughout the investment and operating periods; for more on this, see our article "EIA Monitoring and Control Process: A Guide to Preparing for Inspections".
Information and Documents Needed for an EIA Application
An EIA application requires complete documentation showing the project's location, capacity and technical details. Although requirements vary by project, the following list can be used as a starting point:
Coordinates of the project site and a location map
Ownership documents such as a title deed, lease agreement or usage permit
Zoning status certificate and approved zoning plans, if any
Site plan, layout plan and technical drawings
Capacity information, production flow chart and the raw materials to be used
Information on water supply, wastewater, solid waste and emissions
Energy requirements and sources
Distances to sensitive areas and any relevant authority opinions
Project schedule and explanations regarding the construction and operating periods
It is important that this information is consistent. If details such as capacity, site area or coordinates appear differently across documents, the file may be sent back.
Common Mistakes and Points to Watch
A significant share of the problems encountered in the EIA process stem from starting the process late and from providing incomplete or inconsistent project information. Situations frequently seen in practice include:
Starting the investment before the EIA decision: Under current legislation, a project cannot begin before an EIA decision is obtained. Failure to follow this rule can lead to administrative sanctions and suspension of the activity.
Not assessing capacity increases: Expanding an existing facility, adding a new unit or changing the product may require a separate assessment. Implementing these changes without checking them from an EIA perspective is a common risk.
Overlooking the cumulative impact: Activities carried out on the same site or nearby may be considered together. Splitting a project into parts for assessment can cause problems.
Reviewing site conditions too late: If a protection status or zoning issue is noticed only after the file has been prepared, time and effort are lost.
Forgetting the conditions of the decision: An EIA decision is issued together with commitments. It should also be borne in mind that the decision may lose its validity if the investment does not start within a certain period.
As the legislation is amended from time to time, the current text should be checked before applying. Our article "EIA Regulation Recent Amendments: What You Need to Know", which summarises the latest changes, can help with this.
Notes for Businesses in Antalya
In Antalya, the EIA process particularly concerns investments in tourism, agriculture and livestock, mining and construction. The province's coastline, forest areas, water resources and protected areas make the site assessment more detailed for many projects.
On the tourism side, new hotel and holiday village investments, as well as increases in bed capacity at existing facilities, may trigger an EIA or PTD process depending on capacity. For projects close to the coast, coastal legislation and the opinions of the relevant authorities also become part of the process.
In agriculture and food, livestock operations and food processing and packaging facilities should be assessed according to their capacity. Stone quarries and mines in the inland parts of the province, as well as ready-mixed concrete and asphalt plants, are also among the activities that require attention from an EIA perspective. Addressing the process at the planning stage makes the permitting timeline more predictable for these investments.
To clarify which category your project falls into and to set up the process correctly from the start, you can review the scope of our EIA consultancy service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether my project is subject to EIA?
This is determined by comparing the project's type and capacity with the Annex I and Annex II lists in the EIA Regulation. If your project is not on the lists or falls below the threshold values, you can request an out-of-scope assessment from the provincial directorate. Where you are unsure, a preliminary assessment with expert support is recommended.
What is the difference between an EIA Report and a Project Introduction File?
An EIA Report is a comprehensive study prepared for high-impact projects on the Annex I list and includes public participation and a commission evaluation. A Project Introduction File is prepared for Annex II projects, and at the end of its review a decision is made on whether a full EIA is required.
How long does the EIA process take?
The duration depends on the scope of the project, the completeness of the file and how long it takes to obtain the opinions of the relevant authorities. The Annex II process is generally shorter than the Annex I process. Completing site and document preparation before applying speeds up the process noticeably.
Will I need a new EIA if I expand my existing facility?
A capacity increase or the addition of a new unit should be reassessed against the regulation's lists in its new form. If the total capacity after the increase exceeds a threshold value, a new EIA or PTD process may be required. For this reason, the situation should be checked before starting any change.
Contact Us
To clarify your project's EIA status and move the process forward with the right steps, you can get in touch with the Asel Çevre Danışmanlık team.
Written by Okan Nas, Environmental Engineer, Asel Çevre Danışmanlık.
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