Ministry of Defence has urged all businesses to submit a report containing information on chemicals imported and sold in the Maldives within the next two months.
Businesses need permission from the defence ministry prior to selling chemicals imported into the Maldives, according to the regulations on hazardous chemicals published in 2019. The regulations dictate that the businesses also keep a detailed record of the sale of the chemicals and submit a report to the ministry every six months.
Additionally, the regulations require businesses to store dangerous chemicals in non-residential buildings. It also includes instructions on importing, storing, and usage of non-explosive chemicals and acids from such chemicals. It further stipulates the safety of the import, usage, and disposal of such chemicals in the Maldives.
The regulations were implemented after a devastating fire that broke out inside a warehouse in Male' City in 2019 that left one dead and over 400 homeless, destroying four garages and seven residential buildings. The government has since transferred all chemical warehouses in Male’ to Thilafushi.