noun
protection law; shield law
A law designed to protect a specific entity, group, or resource. Often appears as part of longer compound names such as オゾン層保護法 (Ozone Layer Protection Law).
See also: オゾン層保護法 (オゾンそうほごほう)
オゾン層保護法は1988年に制定された。
The Ozone Layer Protection Law was enacted in 1988.
この保護法は絶滅危惧種を守るために作られた。
This protection law was created to safeguard endangered species.
法律 is a broad term for 'law' or 'legislation', whereas 保護法 is a specific type of law focused on protection.
Compound of 保護 (ほご, 'protection') + 法 (ほう, 'law').