EU accession and legal change:: Accomplishments and challenges in the Czech case

EU enlargement has engendered intensive legislative activity in Central and Eastern European countries aimed at transposing EU requirements for environmental protection. Using the case of the Czech Republic, this contribution assesses the results of the harmonisation process, noting that the implementation of Community environmental legislation has contributed to strengthened stringency of environmental legislation, while drawing law in accession countries closer to the legal systems of Western Europe. Nevertheless, numerous implementation challenges remain including those connected with legal attitudes, traditions and practices in applicant countries as well as those directly related to Community law itself.