Environment Public Authority (EPA) has confirmed that the new Environmental Protection Act No. 42 of 2014 aims to raise people awareness and commit them to perverse the country's eco-system.
Deputy Director General for Technical Affairs Mohamed Al-Enzi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) today that the new law comprises nine chapters.
He added that article (16) bans those concerned with different activities from implementing any project or make any changes or expansions before conducting assessment of environmental impacts in accordance with the EPA requirements, adding that those who breach the law shall be fined a minimum of KD 5,000 Kuwaiti dinars or up to KD 50,000.
He pointed out that Article (17) also bans any party whatsoever, whether a company or institution or consultation office from carrying out any work in this field without prior consent of the EPA, or otherwise it would be fined with the same said penalty in article 16.
He said that Article (18) obliges all firm owners in the country to implement all the engineering and environmental requirements set by the EPA, adding that violators shall be given the same penalty in article 16.
Article (19) obliges facilities to ensure the safety of workers and not to subject them to any damage caused by the emission or leakage of contaminated materials in the work environment, Al-Enzi said.
He stressed that Article (19) also obliges installations officials to take necessary measures and precautions for not exceeding the safe limits permissible for exposure to chemicals, noise, vibration, temperature, humidity, light, ultrasound and radiation, saying that violators shall be fined a minimum of KD 10,000 and a maximum of KD 50,000 and three years in prison.
He pointed out that Article 20 stipulates that owners of facilities in enclosed and semi-enclosed places be subjected to adequate ventilation in proportion to the size of the place, its capacity and the type of activity being practiced in, saying that violators shall be fined a minimum of KD 10,000 and maximum of KD 50,000 and three years behind bars.