Regulations and permits

Permit routes in plain words

Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

Needed before most development that could affect the environment: buildings above a certain scale, roads, harbours, resorts, reclamation, utilities and more.

1. The developer submits a screening form to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
2. The EPA decides whether a full EIA is needed.
3. A scoping meeting agrees the terms of reference: what the EIA must study.
4. A registered EIA consultant carries out baseline surveys, assesses the impacts and alternatives, and consults the people affected.
5. The EIA report is submitted and reviewed by the EPA.
6. The EPA issues a decision note, usually with conditions and a monitoring schedule.
7. If the design changes later, an EIA addendum covers the change.

Coastal modification (AP-2)

Needed for works that change the shoreline or the lagoon, such as groynes, revetments, jetties, beach works and seagrass removal.

1. The application is made on the EPA’s AP-2 form, with site plans and a description of the works and methods.
2. Depending on the scale of the works, the EPA may also require an EIA.

Dredging and reclamation

Needed before dredging a lagoon or channel, or reclaiming land.

1. The permit is applied for under the Regulation on Dredging and Land Reclamation.
2. Since 2024 the application includes shapefiles of the dredging and reclamation boundaries, the volumes, the schedule, and a landscaping plan.
3. Most dredging and reclamation projects also need an EIA.

Desalination (RO) plant registration

Needed for reverse osmosis plants that supply drinking water, for example on resorts.

1. The operator applies to register the plant, with the plant layout and commitment letters.
2. Water quality analysis of the produced water is carried out by a qualified laboratory and submitted with the application.

We prepare EIAs, addenda and permit applications, and run the field surveys behind them. See environmental consultancy.

Laws and regulations

The laws, regulations and guidelines we most often work under, by name.

Framework

• Constitution of the Republic of Maldives (2008), Article 22
• Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law 4/93)
• Climate Emergency Act (Law 10/2021)

Environmental assessment and liability

• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012, and amendments (including the 2018 amendment covering resort and hotel projects)
• Environmental Liability Regulation (2011/R-9)

Coast, lagoon and reef

• Regulation on Dredging and Land Reclamation (2013), and the 2024 permit data requirements
• Coral and Sand Mining Regulation
• Dewatering Regulation
• Protected Areas Regulation (2018/R-78)
• Environmentally Sensitive Areas list

Species and trees

• Protected Species Regulation (2021/R-25)
• Migratory Birds Regulation (2014/R-169)
• Conservation of Old Trees Regulation

Water, waste and fuel

• Water and Sewerage Act (Law 8/2020)
• Utility Regulatory Authority Act (Law 26/2020)
• Water Resources Conservation and Management Regulation (R-22/2021)
• Desalination Plant Regulation
• Waste Management Regulation (2013)
• Oil Handling and Storage Regulation (2015/R-160)

Building and construction

• Building Act (Law 4/2017)
• Maldives Building Code
• Regulation on Safety Standards for Construction Work (2019/R-156)
• Environmental Guidelines for Concrete Batch Plants
• MNDF Fire Regulations

Tourism

• Maldives Tourism Act (Law 2/99)

International guidance we also use

• WHO Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments