Victoria, Seychelles – 22.04.2025
On 22.04.25 the president and cabinet of ministers of Seychelles approved the Hazardous Chemical Bill for adoption by Seychelles. This represents a major milestone for the GEF ISLANDS Indian Ocean project (Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States) .
The hazardous chemical bill was also presented to the Bills Committee of the Seychelles National Assembly for their inputs and initial reaction. The Bills Committee is a subcommittee of the National Assembly that review pieces of legislation yet to be tabled before the Seychelles National Assembly. Honourable members of the Bills Committee expressed positive reaction towards the Hazardous Chemical Bill and contributed some additional inputs.
The Hazardous Chemical Bill—developed through a comprehensive legal review under the ISLANDS project —aims to close critical legislative and institutional gaps in the management of hazardous chemicals. Once enacted, it will establish a dedicated and unified legal framework for the safe handling, transportation, use, and disposal of hazardous substances in Seychelles.
This legislation will bring Seychelles in line with its obligations under key international environmental treaties, including the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata Conventions (BRS Conventions), to which the country is a signatory. It will also create legal safeguards to prevent pollution, reduce chemical-related health risks, and ensure compliance with international standards.
Key features of the proposed Hazardous Chemical Bill include:
- The creation of a centralized authority for hazardous chemical management;
- Creation of a Registrar of hazardous chemicals
- Comprehensive regulation of pesticides, industrial chemicals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs);
- Clear procedures for registration, licensing, import, and use of hazardous substances;
- Stronger enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance;
- Specific provisions to regulate mercury and mercury-containing products.
The endorsement by the Cabinet of Ministers underscores the national commitment to strengthening Seychelles’ legal and institutional capacity to manage hazardous chemicals and to align with global best practices.
The ISLANDS Indian Ocean project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles continues to work closely with governments to advance sustainable chemical management and ensure a cleaner, safer future for all.
Press Contact:
Marie Rignace
National Communication/ Stakeholders Engagement Express (NCSEE) for the ISLANDS project
2716880
Marie.reix@gmail.com
About ISLANDS
The Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States (ISLANDS) Programme is a $515-million, five-year initiative backed by the Global Environment Facility (providing $61 million), supporting 33 Small Island Developing States in fourregions – the Atlantic, Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Ocean to reduce and manage toxic waste in their territories. ISLANDS is led by the United Nations Environment Programme. The Indian Ocean component, managed by the United Nations Development Programme, focuses on Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
About the UN Environment Programme
The UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the Global Environment Facility
The Global Environment Facility is the largest multilateral fund working to enable developing countries to invest in nature. It supports the implementation of international environmental conventions on biodiversity, climate change, chemicals, and desertification. Since 1991, it has provided more than $21.7 billion in grants and blended finance and mobilized an additional $119 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 projects and programmes.