President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 1st Amendment to the Waste Management Act (Act No. 24/2022).
The amendment was passed by the People’s Majlis at the 25th sitting of its second session for 2026, held on Monday, 17 August.
The amendment sets out guidelines for establishing waste management systems and centres, implementing safe waste management policies, and allocating the necessary resources. It also defines the responsibilities of the Utility Regulatory Authority and the Environmental Regulatory Authority.
Under the amendment, the Environmental Regulatory Authority is authorised to formulate regulations imposing fines on individuals who violate waste management practices enforced by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, where such violations adversely affect the environment or public health.
Proper waste management systems are required on islands and in regions leased for economic or industrial purposes, with the Utility Regulatory Authority responsible for verification and monitoring compliance. Waste generated outside the jurisdiction of an inhabited island must be transported to a waste management centre on an inhabited island.
The amendment also exempts businesses from charging the MVR 2 fee on plastic bags sold or provided to customers at the point of sale, and exempts bundles containing more than 50 plastic bags from the same charge. With this, the double taxation previously applied on such transactions comes to an end.
Following ratification, the importation of waste into the Maldives by any party constitutes a criminal offence. The sale, use and distribution of hazardous waste without a permit issued by the Environmental Regulatory Authority are also defined as punishable offences.
Regulations under the amendment must be formulated and published in the Government Gazette within 30 days of the Act coming into force.
The amendment came into effect upon ratification and publication in the Government Gazette.