Resource information
This Act applies to all kinds of pollution discharge in Vanuatu. Despite the provisions of any other Act, all persons and agencies having responsibilities under this Act, or whose functions and powers may relate to any matter or thing involving the environment, are to apply the precautionary principle. The Act sets out the Director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation. The Director shall, among other things administer the permit system under Part 2 of this Act and undertake environmental assessment, monitoring, and inspection generally.The Act formulates a general duty to comply with any prescribed standard for the discharge of pollution, waste water and the emission of noise, odour or electromagnetic radiation from premises and shall apply for a permit to discharge pollutants. The owner or occupier of any premises must comply with any prescribed standard for the discharge of pollution, waste water and the emission of noise, odour or electromagnetic radiation from the premises. The Act furthermore provides for measures of enforcement and defines offences.
