Duty of persons, etc., exploiting natural resources

(1) Any person or undertaking exploiting the land, water resources, seas or other natural resources shall ensure the protection of the environment against unnecessary damage or from pollution by harmful substances. (2) In order to prevent soil pollution, chemicals and biologicals introduced directly or indirectly into the soil in the course of agricultural, forestry or mining activities shall not be used in quantities or in a manner such that the natural equilibrium is disturbed or, in particular, such that there is harmful contamination of the soil or water, fauna or flora, or such that ecosystems are disturbed. (3) Any person, installation, factory or plant involved in the processing of petroleum, be it a petroleum refinery complex or a refinery process unit, shall be considered as handling a hazardous substance and shall be required to maintain the highest level of environmental health and safety standards. (4) All waste containing petroleum, petroleum oils or distillates shall be considered as hazardous wastes. (5) The operators of any petroleum refinery, petroleum refinery complex, or refinery process unit shall only be permitted to establish or operate if their refined products destined for local consumption has a sulfur content of 2.00 % by mass or less. 23 (6) The operators of any petroleum refinery, petroleum refinery complex, or refinery process unit shall only be permitted to establish or operate if their refined products destined for local consumption has a BTEX content of 0.5 mg/1 or less. (7) Any person, installation, factory or plant involved in the exploration, production, or processing of petroleum, be it petroleum refinery complex or a refinery process unit, shall dispose of petroleum water by deep well injection subsequent to pretreatment to prescribed national levels.