Abstract
The article gives a brief overview of legislative normative acts of the Russian Federation and European countries in the field of ecology and environmental protection. The classification of legislative acts of the Russian Federation in the sphere of ecology is given, as well as their structuring with the use of the process approach. A comparative analysis of the main provisions of the environmental legislation of Russia and the EU countries has been carried out. The following can be named as promising areas of cooperation between Russia and the EU countries in the field of ecology: prevention of environmental pollution, information support of environmental problems and their solutions, preservation of natural biodiversity, elimination of pollution consequences and compensation for environmental damage.