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ARTICLE · 05 OCTOBER 2026

Decree Amends Environmental Licensing, Adapting To LGLA Rules

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The State of Rio de Janeiro has enacted a new decree that fundamentally restructures its environmental licensing system, introducing novel license types and aligning state regulations with recent federal environmental legislation. These changes establish new validity periods, priority processing criteria, and requirements for greenhouse gas emissions management that will affect how companies navigate environmental compliance.

BrazilEnvironment

On September 16, 2026, the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro published State Decree No. 50,473/2026 (the “new Decree”), which repeals State Decree No. 46,890/2019 and revises the regulation of the State System for Licensing and Other Environmental Control Procedures (Sistema Estadual de Licenciamento e demais Procedimentos de Controle Ambiental – “SELCA”). The new Decree incorporates into state legislation the changes introduced by Federal Law No. 15,190/2025, which enacted the General Environmental Licensing Law (Lei Geral do Licenciamento Ambiental – “LGLA”), and by Federal Law No. 15,300/2025, which governs special environmental licensing.

The new Decree aligns the state regulatory framework with the changes introduced by Federal Law No. 15,190/2025, which established the General Environmental Licensing Law (LGLA), and Federal Law No. 15,300/2025, which provides for special environmental licensing.

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