The government explained that the new law would consistently apply the principle that polluters should cover the costs of pollution they cause in the environment.
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said at a government session on Thursday that the bill that was sent into the first parliamentary reading respected two principles: the adjustment to European Union standards in this field and the protection of Croatia's specific characteristics.
The new bill gives greater importance to the public in environmental protection matters.
It regulates models for enforcing procedures and determining uniform conditions that factories should meet for the purpose of environmental protection.
The Government also decided that a share of biofuel on the domestic market should account for 0.9 percent this year, which means that necessary quantities of biodiesel should be 22,000 tonnes.
Croatia will join in the observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April in compliance with the Government's decision.
In the period from 1999 to 2005 there were annually between 22,000 to 25,000 injuries at work. Last year, 46 persons died of injuries sustained at work.
At the start of today's session, the Government presented its redesigned web portal (www.vlada.hr), which cost 186,000 kuna.