The Autonomous Region of the Azores has endorsed the creation of a national network that will work in connection with the  European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL).

This network, formalised in Lisbon under the 1st Meeting of the IMPEL National Network, comprises the following entities: Regional Environment Inspectorate, General Inspectorate of the Environment, Sea, Agriculture and Spatial Planning (IGAMAOT), Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), General Secretariat of the Environment (SGA), Attorney General's Office (PGR) and Regional Directorate for Spatial Planning and Environment -Madeira (DROTA).

Each entity had the opportunity to present their activities, areas of intervention and challenges to overcome, analysing to which extent the IMPEL can become a tool in ongoing improvement of services.

The possibility of exchanging and sharing experiences and solutions with about 35 European countries and over 60 organisations is fundamental to the evolution of services with expertise in the implementation of environmental legislation.

In this regard, the Regional Environmental Inspectorate has participated in international working groups since 2015. They have proved to be an asset in the training of inspectors as well as a contribution to the efficiency of the actions carried out by the Regional Environment Inspectorate.