President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has renamed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) and introduced a series of legal and administrative reforms aimed at improving environmental regulation.

Under Presidential Directive No. 14/2025, the ERA will now operate directly under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, replacing the EPA’s previous oversight by a governing board.

According to the President’s Office, the restructuring is intended to better reflect the agency’s primary responsibilities and strengthen its capacity to regulate environmental matters effectively.

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment, in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), has begun the transition process to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services during the change.

The announcement comes shortly after the government amended regulations to expedite the legally mandated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for priority infrastructure projects.

The new provisions allow projects designated by the Cabinet or Cabinet committees to undergo a faster EIA review, with the Minister of Tourism and Environment authorised to direct accelerated measures under a 42-month moratorium.

The Ministry emphasised that despite the changes, all environmental safeguards will remain in place.

It said the renaming of the agency, along with the regulatory and procedural reforms, is aimed at enhancing the efficiency, responsiveness, and effectiveness of environmental oversight in the Maldives.