Data-center law in Maldives

Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93), cl. 5, 9

Applies to both

Clause 5 requires an impact assessment study to be submitted to the responsible ministry before implementing any development project that may have a potential impact on the environment, and lets the ministry terminate an environmentally damaging project without compensation. Clause 9 sets a fine of Rf 5 to Rf 500 for a minor offense and up to Rf 100,000,000 for a major offense under the Act or its regulations, both levied by the ministry.

Source: Full text of law

Regulation on the Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Report 2012 (No. 2012/R-27), arts. 8, 20

Applies to both

Issued under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Act No. 4/93), this regulation requires a proponent of a Development Proposal not listed under Schedule D to submit a Screening Form to the Ministry, which the Ministry answers with a decision requiring either an Environmental Management Plan or further study, while a proposal listed under Schedule D instead requires an Environmental Impact Assessment Application Form and a scoping meeting before a full assessment is prepared.

Article 20 fines a proponent up to Rf 200,000 for failing to prepare a required report or for submitting a fraudulent report, and separately fines misuse of the registered-consultant designation up to Rf 100,000 for a first offense and Rf 150,000 for a repeat offense.

Source: Full text of law