VGC Abogados provides training on the National Reconstruction and Economic and Social Development Law

This week, VGC Abogados held an internal presentation on the National Reconstruction and Economic and Social Development Law, led by Senior Counsel Patricio Zapata and the firm’s Litigation Coordinator, Sofía Vergara. The initiative, processed under Bulletin No. 18216-05, will be enacted soon to shorten timelines, streamline procedures, and unblock stalled investment projects.

The presentation analyzed key changes to environmental and sectoral regulations, including the following:

SEIA (Environmental Impact Assessment System): The 3 MW threshold for power generation plants is eliminated, the SEA (Environmental Assessment Service) is strengthened as the technical lead, and a voluntary regime is created to limit rounds of ICSARA (Consolidated Report on Additional Information, Rectifications, or Clarifications) and Addenda.

Challenging RCAs (Environmental Qualification Resolutions): A single administrative challenge window with strict deadlines will be established. Precautionary measures suspending an RCA cannot last more than six months, except in specific cases.

Heritage and biodiversity: A new procedure before the National Monuments Council for archaeological finds is created—incorporating the principle that administrative silence implies approval—and deadlines for issuing regulations under the SBAP Law (Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service) are extended.

The presentation also addressed the Constitutional Court ruling of August 26, 2026, which declared the special compensation regime for RCA annulment unconstitutional, expanded the right of third parties who did not submit comments during the process to file legal challenges, and validated the new rules regarding precautionary measures.

We thank Patricio Zapata and Sofía Vergara for their comprehensive presentation and analysis of the upcoming law, enabling the VGC Abogados team to support clients with an up-to-date perspective on these regulatory changes.