The Ministry of Defence has directed businesses storing or selling hazardous chemicals without the required authorisation to regularise their operations within one month, warning that enforcement action will be taken against those who fail to comply.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said it had identified cases where hazardous chemicals were being stored and sold without the necessary permits, often in locations that do not meet required safety standards.
The ministry warned that the improper handling and storage of hazardous substances poses a serious risk to public safety, particularly when chemicals are kept in densely populated areas without adequate fire protection or emergency response measures.
Under existing regulations, the import, storage, sale, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals in the Maldives are subject to strict controls. Businesses wishing to sell such chemicals must first obtain a Chemical Sale Permit from the Ministry of Defence by submitting an application through the ministry’s official website.
Authorities also require businesses to register the premises used for storing or selling hazardous chemicals on the government’s Makudi portal. Permits are only issued after officials inspect the site to ensure it meets safety requirements, including appropriate fire prevention systems and measures to respond to potential chemical leaks.
The ministry said businesses currently operating without the required approvals have been granted a one-month grace period to obtain the necessary permits and complete the registration process.
It warned that legal action will be taken against operators who continue to store or sell hazardous chemicals in violation of the regulations once the deadline expires. The ministry added that inspection teams will begin conducting targeted enforcement operations after the grace period ends.
The latest directive follows longstanding concerns over the illegal storage of hazardous chemicals in residential areas, particularly in the Greater Malé region.
In September 2019, a major fire at a chemical warehouse on Abadhahfehi Magu in Henveiru claimed the life of a woman and damaged six homes and four warehouses, forcing several families to evacuate. Following the incident, the government relocated around 40 chemical storage facilities from Malé to purpose-built warehouses in Thilafushi to reduce public safety risks.
Despite those measures, authorities have continued to uncover illegally operated chemical storage facilities. In April 2023, the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) shut down an unauthorised warehouse on Lily Magu in Malé after discovering hazardous chemicals were being stored there in breach of safety regulations.
The Defence Ministry said the latest enforcement campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to prevent similar incidents and ensure hazardous chemicals are handled and stored in accordance with national safety standards.
