Archives: Topics

Consultation	Issued Date	Closing Date
Transposition of Directive 2024/1785/EU: the revised Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (IED 2.0)	14/04/2026	26/05/2026
Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility obligations on certain non-packaging paper products	03/02/2026	27/04/2026
Waste Management (Shipments of Waste) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026	06/03/2026	03/04/2026
Waste Management (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026	16/02/2026	16/03/2026
Dwejra Protection and Management Regulations, 2026	03/02/2026	03/03/2026
Intent and Objectives: Malta Food Waste Prevention Programme	31/10/2025	13/12/2025
Public Consultation: Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta’s Terrestrial Natura 2000 Sites – Set 2 (Gozo)	14/10/2025	25/11/2025
Establishment of the Ċirkewwa Marine Park Regulations, 2025	15/10/2025	12/11/2025
Public Consultation: Aarhus Convention National Implementation Report 2025	01/09/2025	29/09/2025
Timetable for the formulation of Malta’s 4th River Basin Management Plan	14/03/2025	14/09/2025
Intent and Objectives: Second Update to Malta’s marine strategy pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD) – 3rd cycle	08/08/2025	05/09/2025
Public Consultation: Guidelines for catering establishments on different alternatives to food containers and cups for beverages	13/06/2025	25/07/2025
Intent and Objectives: Malta’s National Restoration Plan	06/06/2025	04/07/2025
Consultation on 2025 National Implementation Report of the PRTR Protocol	29/05/2025	26/06/2025
Transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/884 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 amending Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) through the amendment of S.L. 549.89 Waste Management (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations	23/05/2025	20/06/2025
Change of Competency for FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) Licencing Scheme Regulations (S.L 549.95) and Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations (S.L. 549.94)	30/04/2025	28/05/2025
Public Consultation: Amendments to the Guidelines on Works Involving Trees	16/04/2025	28/05/2025
Prohibition of balloon releases and prohibition on use of plastic confetti and their placement on the market	14/03/2025	11/04/2025
Extended Producer Responsibility on Fishing Gear Containing Plastic	27/01/2025	24/02/2025
Intent and Objectives: Consultation on the of the Aarhus Convention National Implementation Report 2025	19/12/2024	07/02/2025
Consultation on the Content of the PRTR National Implementation Report 2025	30/11/2024	30/12/2024
Intent and Objectives: Update to Malta’s Noise Action Plan (NAP), Round 4	27/11/2024	18/12/2024
Public Consultation: Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta’s Terrestrial Natura 2000 Sites – Set 1	25/10/2024	06/12/2024
Limitation of Emissions of Certain Atmospheric Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations, 2024	15/10/2024	12/11/2024
Establishment of the Majjistral, Nature and History Park (Amendment) Regulations, 2024	15/10/2024	12/11/2024
Implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility obligations on tobacco filters containing plastic in line with the Single Use Plastic Directive	02/09/2024	30/09/2024
Intent and Objectives: Guidelines for the Construction and Demolition Waste Framework Regulations, S.L.549.161	04/07/2024	16/08/2024
Intent and Objectives: Guidelines for Catering Establishments on Different Alternatives to Food Containers and Cups for Beverages	08/07/2024	29/07/2024
Intent and Objectives: Extension of the Action Plan for the management of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern to include five additional species	18/06/2024	16/07/2024
Intent and Objectives: Action Plan for the Management of four Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern	09/04/2024	07/05/2024
Intent and Objectives: General Guidelines for Landscaping in Urban Areas	15/04/2024	29/04/2024
Intent and Objectives: Updated National Air Pollution Control Programme	27/03/2024	24/04/2024
Environmental Permitting (Procedure for Applications and their Determination) Regulations, 2024	21/02/2024	17/04/2024
Declaration of the Maltese Honey Bee as a National Species	19/02/2024	18/03/2024
Malta’s Third River Basin Management Plan pursuant to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC	20/09/2023	18/03/2024
Green Paper on the Regulation of Groundwater Abstraction in the Maltese Islands	23/11/2023	18/01/2024
Construction and Demolition Waste Framework Regulations	18/10/2023	15/11/2023
Air Quality Plan	18/09/2023	30/10/2023
Updated Programme of Measures pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)	11/09/2023	23/10/2023
Updated Marine Monitoring Programme pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)	26/06/2023	24/07/2023
Intent and Objectives: Updated Programme of Measures pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)	14/04/2023	28/04/2023
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to 2030	14/02/2023	28/03/2023
Intent and Objectives: Malta’s National Strategy and Action Plan for Pollinators to 2035	13/02/2023	17/03/2023
Noise Action Plan for Malta	08/11/2022	19/12/2022
Establishment of mandatory separation of waste within national waste legislation	07/11/2022	05/12/2022
Amendments to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations to reflect the regional collection of waste	20/10/2022	17/11/2022
Intent and Objectives: Review of the Guidelines on Works involving Trees	14/10/2022	11/11/2022
Intent and Objectives: National Action Plan concerning Marine Species Introduction and Invasive Marine Species in Malta	07/10/2022	04/11/2022
National Strategy for the Environment 2050	07/09/2022	4/11/2022
Intent and Objectives: Malta Yelkouan Shearwater Species Action Plan 2022-2030	03/10/2022	31/10/2022
Guidelines for Good Forestation Practices for the Maltese Islands	15-02-2022	29-03-2022
Assessment and Management of Environment Noise (Amendment) Regulations, 2022	01-02-2022	01-03-2022
Daily Penalties (Environment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022	12-01-2022	09-02-2022
Transposition of the remaining Articles of the Single Use Plastics Directive	15-12-2021	09-02-2022
Intent and Objectives: Guidelines for Good Forestation Practices for the Maltese Islands	31-01-2022	07-02-2022
COCOON - Terms of Reference on the Closure Aftercare and Rehabilitation of Landfills and Void Spaces	16-11-2021	14-12-2021
The Aarhus Convention National Implementation Report 2021	22-09-2021	13-10-2021
Conservation Measures and Objectives for Malta’s Marine Natura 2000 sites	10-07-2021	05-09-2021
Intent and Objectives: Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta’s Terrestrial Natura 2000 sites	19-07-2021	30-08-2021
Restrictions on Placing on the Market of Single-Use Plastic Products (Amendment) Regulations, 2021	24-06-2021	05-08-2021
Groundwater (Prohibition of Discharge to Groundwater Bodies) Regulations	26-04-2021	24-05-2021
Prevention and Remedying of Environmental Damage (Amendment) Regulations, 2021	25-03-2021	22-04-2021
Intent and Objectives: National Trees and Woodlands Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2030	15-02-2021	29-03-2021
Intent and Objectives: Air Quality Plan	28-01-2021	25-02-2021
Significant Water Management Issues in preparation for Malta’s 3rd River Basin Management Plan	19-08-2020	19-02-2021
Public Consultation on the 2021 National Implementation Report of the PRTR Protocol	11-12-2020	11-01-2021
Limitation of Emissions of Certain Atmospheric Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	26-11-2020	02-01-2021
Restrictions on Placing on the Market of Lightweight Plastic Carrier Bags Regulations, 2020	28-10-2020	26-11-2020
Restrictions on Placing on the Market of Single-Use Plastic Products Regulations, 2020	28-10-2020	26-11-2020
Public Consultation on the Waste Legislative Package	05-10-2020	16-11-2020
Majjistral Nature and History Park Site (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	16-10-2020	14-11-2020
Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	18-09-2020	16-10-2020
Intent and Objectives: Consultation on the Aarhus Convention National Implementation Report 2021	04-09-2020	25-09-2020
The Ambient Air Quality (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	19-08-2020	16-09-2020
Wellbeing First: A Vision for Malta’s Environment, National Strategy for the Environment 2050	20-07-2020	20-09-2020
The Waste Management (End of Life Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	14-08-2020	11-09-2020
Intent and Objectives: General Guidelines for Landscaping in Playgrounds	19-08-2020	09-09-2020
Intent and Objectives: General Guidelines for Landscaping in Rural Areas	19-08-2020	09-09-2020
Intent and Objectives: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to 2030	28-07-2020	18-08-2020
Guidelines for the Reduction of Light Pollution in the Maltese Islands	23-06-2020	04-08-2020
The 2021 National Implementation Report of the PRTR Protocol – Reporting template	16-06-2020	31-07-2020
The Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	03-06-2020	03-07-2020
THE 2017 National Implementation Report of the PRTR Protocol	15-05-2020	15-06-2020
Updated Assessment of Status, Good Environmental Status and Environmental Targets for Malta’s marine waters pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)	09-12-2019	04-02-2020
Action Plan Addressing Escape From Confinement of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) of Union Concern 2020 (Pets, Aquaria and Terrarium species)	11-12-2019	29-01-2020
National Air Pollution Control Programme	22-11-2019	24-01-2020
Construction and Demolition Waste Strategy for Malta, 2020-2025 – Managing Construction & Demolition Resources	20-11-2019	22-01-2020
Public Consultation on the Intent and Objectives: Updated Assessment of Status, Good Environmental Status and Environmental Targets for Malta’s marine waters pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)	21-11-2019	28-11-2019
Nature Reserves Regulations, 2019​	08-10-2019	05-11-2019
Intent and Objectives: Action Plan to address the Escape of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) from Confinement​	23-08-2019	06-09-2019
Establishment of the Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar (Amendment) Regulations, 2019	26-07-2019	25-08-2019
Intent & Objectives: Update to Malta's Noise Action Plan	18-06-2019	09-07-2019
Intent & Objectives: Conservation Objectives and Measures for Malta's Marine Natura 2000 Sites	11-06-2019	25-06-2019
Public Consultation on the Single-Use Plastic Products Strategy for Malta 2020-2030	10-05-2019	21-06-2019
Public Consultation on the Waste Management (Ship Recycling) Regulations	23-04-2019	23-05-2019
Intent for the National Strategy for the Environment and its Vision for 2050	26-04-2019	19-05-2019
Intent & Objectives: Malta's National Air Pollution Control Programme	22-03-2019	19-04-2019
Public Consultation on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms (Amendment) Regulations, 2019	11-02-2019	11-03-2019
Public Consultation on the Flora, Fauna & Natural Habitats Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 2019	08-02-2019	08-03-2019
Public Consultation on the Timetable for the formulation of Malta's 3rd Water Catchment Management Plan	05-02-2019	28-06-2019
Public Consultation on the Waste Management (Landfill) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019	21-01-2019	18-02-2019
Intent & Objectives: Single-Use Plastic Products Strategy for Malta, 2019 – 2025 – Rethink Plastic	21-01-2019	04-02-2019
National Strategy for Preventing and Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Maltese Islands & National Sector-Specific Codes of Good Practice in relation to IAS in the Maltese Islands	05-12-2018	23-01-2019
Information Document to Support GI Thinking in Malta	25-09-2018	23-10-2018
National Action Plan on Desertification and Land Degradation	27-07-2018	10-08-2018
Information Document on Green Infrastructure	27-07-2018	10-08-2018
Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Codes of Good Practice	27-07-2018	10-08-2018
Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations, 2018	30-07-2018	27-08-2018
The Assessment and Management of Environment Noise (Amendment) Regulations, 2018	06-07-2018	03-08-2018
Marine Policy Framework Regulations, 2018​	05-07-2018	02-08-2018
Public Consultation on the Waste Management (End of Life Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2018​​	26-04-2018	24-05-2018
Public Consultation on the draft Limitation of Emissions of Certain Atmospheric Pollutants Regulations, 2018​​	09-04-2018	04-05-2018
Second Public Consultation – Guidelines on Works involving Trees	16-08-2018	27-09-2018
Guidelines on Works involving Trees	31-01-2018	01-03-2018
Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations, 2018	31-01-2018	01-03-2018
Action on Illegal Deposit of Material on Land and Illegal Reclamation of Land Regulations, 2017	18-01-2018	22-01-2018
Draft Medium Combustion Plants Regulations, 2017	13-11-2017	11-12-2017
Aarhus National Implementation Report 2017		28-03-2017
The Programme of Measures Pursuant to the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC	18-01-2017	28-03-2017
Management of Malta’s Marine Protected Areas	05-04-2017	15-05-2017
Consultation on draft Daily Penalty Regulations, 2017	16-03-2017	01-05-2017
Draft Regulations Amending the Waste Management (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations	10-01-2017	06-02-2017
Draft Legal Notice on Out of Court Settlement for Producers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment	10-01-2017	06-02-2017
Waste Management (Waste Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations	26-09-2016	24-10-2016
End of life Vehicles	13-09-2016	07-10-2016
Reduction of light weight carrier plastic bags	12-09-2016	07-10-2016

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 21 November 2019

Closing date: 28 November 2019

Title of the public consultation: Intent and Objectives: Updated Assessment of Status, Good Environmental Status and Environmental Targets for Malta’s marine waters pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)

Ministry: Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority

 

1. Background

The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) calls for the achievement or maintenance of Good Environmental Status (GES) in the marine environment by the year 2020 through the development and implementation of marine strategies. GES is defined by eleven descriptors listed in Annex I to the Directive covering biological elements pertaining to the marine environment and pressures thereon. Member States are required to seek achievement of GES, as determined at the level of the marine region or sub-region, for each Annex I descriptor based on a plan of action stipulated by the Directive itself.

In accordance with Article 17 and Article 19 of the Directive, all the elements of the marine strategy should be reviewed every six years after their initial establishment and the updates should be made available to the public for comments. Within this context, the updated assessment of status for the marine environment, the revised GES characteristics and the environmental targets that were initially reported by Malta in 2013 will be drafted and issued for public consultation. The revised reports will cover each biological element of the marine environment and pressures thereon.

The revised assessment of status of the marine environment will include:
(i) the state of the marine environment and associated pressures and impacts (Art. 8 (1a and 1b)), and
(ii) the revised Good Environmental Status characteristics (Art. 9) and environmental targets (Art. 10).

2. Consultation

Interested stakeholders are invited to submit any feedback or comments on the intent and objectives of this assessment.

3. Submission of feedback

By e-mail: [email protected]
By post: Marine Strategy Framework Directive Consultation
National Affairs
Environment and Resources Authority
Hexagon House,
Spencer Hill,
Marsa, MRS 1441

4. Further notes

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

The draft assessment will be available for public consultation in due course at the following link.

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 8 October 2019

Closing date: 5 November 2019

Title of the public consultation: Nature Reserves Regulations, 2019

Ministry: Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority

1. Background

‘Nature Reserves’ is an internationally-used term allocated to protected areas that are strictly set aside to conserve biodiversity and related geological and geomorphological features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure the protection of conservation values. Malta presently has three Nature Reserves, namely Filfla and its surrounding islets, Fungus Rocks and the Selmunett Islands, set up through respective legal instruments.

The proposed new regulations aim to establish a framework for the setting of Nature Reserves in line with international criteria and update earlier regulations to include additional provisions. These regulations include restrictions on access to the concerned Nature Reserves and the exploitation of wildlife therein. Additional restrictions are proposed on activities that could
negatively affect the biodiversity or landscape of the Nature Reserve including prohibitions on undertaking commercial activities, dumping of chemical waste, releasing non-native species, causing unnecessary noise or light, etc.

The proposed regulations also propose to designate five additional sites as Nature Reserves, namely Kemmunett and its surrounding islets; Il-Ġebla tal-Ħalfa (Gozo); Il-Ġebla taċ-Ċawl (Gozo); l-Iskoll tal-Għallis; and Il-Ħnejja. Most of the Nature Reserves are designated as Natura 2000 sites.

2. Consultation

In line with article 55 of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) the public is invited to make submissions to ERA with their comments as to why and how these regulations could be amended.

3. Documents

Nature Reserves Regulations, 2019 / Regolamenti dwar ir-Riservi Naturali, 2019

4. Submission of feedback

Comments will be received by email on [email protected].

5. Further notes

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 23 August 2019

Closing date: 6 September 2019

Title of the public consultation: Intent and Objectives: Action Plan to address the Escape of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) from Confinement

Ministry: Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority

1. Background

In terms of Article 51 of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), it is duly notified that the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is preparing an ’Action Plan to Address the Escape of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) from Confinement’, in line with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and Article 13 (action plans on the pathways of invasive alien species) of Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.

As per Article 13 of the EU IAS Regulation, Malta is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the pathways of unintentional introduction of IAS of Union concern, in the process identifying the priority pathway(s) and establishing an action plan to address such priority pathway(s).

Measure BI1 of the NBSAP further identifies the need to set up a contingency plan to address the accidental introductions of invasive alien species.

The main objectives of the proposed action plan are to:

• establish a proactive framework to reduce the escape and discarding of invasive alien species of Union concern into the environment;
• raise public awareness on the threat posed by IAS (with particular reference to
  exotic species);
• provide solution(s) to owners unwilling or unable to keep their exotic/IAS pets;
• encourage good practices to prevent the accidental escape of IAS from private holdings; and
• encourage the public to make informed purchasing decisions on acquiring exotic species so as to prevent or reduce the number of unwanted pets.

2. Consultation

The public is invited to submit any feedback or comments on the intent and objectives of this action plan.

3. Submission of feedback

E-mail: [email protected]

4. Further notes

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

The draft Action Plan to address the Escape of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) from Confinement will be available for public consultation in due course at the following link.

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 26 July 2019

Closing date: 25 August 2019

Title of the public consultation: Establishment of the Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar (Amendment) Regulations, 2019

Ministry: Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority

1. Background

This Legal Notice is an amendment to the Establishment of the Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar Regulations (S.L. 549.109). Through these amendments, the Inwadar Park is now designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of National Importance in line with the provisions of the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44).

These regulations were issued in exercise of the powers conferred by article 55(2) of the Environment Protection Act (Chapter 549) which enables the Minister to carry out public consultation after the promulgation of legislation which the Minister declares to be urgent.

2. Consultation

The public is invited to make submissions to ERA in line with articles 55(2) and 55(3) of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549).

3. Documents

Amendments
Establishment of the Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar (Amendment) Regulations, 2019
Regolamenti tal-2019 li jemendaw ir-Regolamenti li Jistabbilixxu l-Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar

Principal Regulations
Establishment of the Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar Regulations (S.L. 549.109)
Regolamenti li jistabbilixxu l-Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar (L.S. 549.109)

4. Submission of feedback

E-mail: [email protected]

5. Further notes

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 18 June 2019

Closing date: 9 July 2019

Title of the public consultation: Intent and Objectives: Update to Malta’s Noise Action Plan

Ministry: Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Entity: Environment & Resources Authority

1. Background

In terms of Article 51 of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), it is duly notified that the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), in collaboration with the Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change (MESDC), is preparing an updated Noise Action Plan (NAP) under the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC (END).

The NAP is designed to address the management of environmental noise issues and effects from transport noise including road and air, together with industrial noise in the Maltese Islands. Noise as a nuisance and environmental noise pollution are different and are not interchangeable. It is continuous long term exposure to noise that exceeds a limit that harms the environment that is considered as pollution.

It is planned that the NAP will:
(i) Provide an overview of the requirements and obligations of the national regulations transposing the END, the Assessment and Management of Environment Noise Regulations (S.L. 549.37);
(ii) Present a summary of the results of the round 3 strategic noise maps within Malta;
(iii) Present actions, which ERA intends to take in the next five years.

The NAP has the following objectives:
a. To outline a long-term plan aiming to prevent and reduce environmental noise where necessary and particularly where exposure levels can induce harmful effects on human health and preserving environmental noise quality where it is good.
b. To set out objectives for the monitoring and management of environmental noise in Malta.
c. To take a staged approach in assessing the existing levels of environmental noise from the different noise sources to identify potential locations for actions using a prioritisation exercise.
d. To preserve relatively quiet areas in the agglomeration and in open countryside through the identification and delineation of such areas.

2. Consultation

The public is invited to submit any feedback or comments on the intent and objectives of this programme.

3. Submission of feedback

E-mail: [email protected]

4. Further notes:

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.

The draft Noise Action Plan will be available for public consultation in due course at the following web link.