The "Regulation on Reducing Single-Use Plastics" has been formulated under the Waste Management Act to establish the framework for reducing the use of single-use plastics in the Maldives.
The objective of this regulation is to minimize the use of single-use plastics, prohibit their production, importation, or distribution within the Maldives, and establish enforcement measures.
The regulation will be enforced by the Ministry of Environment and Maldives Customs Service. It is set to come into effect three months from today.
To reduce environmentally harmful single-use plastics in the Maldives by 2030, the Ministry must develop a phase-out plan and publish it in the Government Gazette within 12 months of this regulation taking effect.
The regulation mandates that the plan be formulated following consultations with all relevant stakeholders, taking into account the environmental and economic impacts of reducing the types of single-use plastics included in the plan.
For a first-time violation, the regulation provides for a warning to prevent recurrence. However, the maximum fine that can be imposed under the regulation is MVR 100,000.
This regulation does not apply to single-use plastics brought in as ship stores for international airlines, nor to single-use plastics intended for use in duty-free areas for departing passengers.
