Singapore Strengthens Haze Laws With Higher Fines And Financial Restrictions

The city-state has introduced comprehensive changes to its laws regarding transboundary haze. These updates grant authorities broader powers to penalize firms linked to regional fires.

Stricter Financial Penalties

The updated legal framework introduces significantly harsher financial consequences for companies contributing to haze. Daily fines have increased from $100,000 to $1 million, with the total maximum penalty now capped at $20 million. Beyond these fixed fines, courts are now empowered to calculate the profits gained or losses avoided by the offending entity and impose those amounts as additional penalties.

Proactive Investigative Measures

Authorities have gained more flexible tools to gather evidence and initiate legal proceedings. The government can now take action based on the risk of haze, meaning they can intervene even if smoke plumes have not yet reached the country. To streamline investigations, legal documents can be served electronically via email or published online, removing previous requirements for physical delivery to overseas entities. Furthermore, the director-general of environmental protection can mandate that suspected firms appoint private sector assessors to investigate their links to fires.

Corporate Liability And Business Restrictions

The law now imposes a higher standard of corporate responsibility. Companies can no longer easily deflect blame by claiming fires were caused by third parties; they must now prove that the fire was caused by someone acting without their knowledge and that they took reasonable steps to prevent it. Additionally, the government can designate specific entities as offenders, which may lead to restrictions on their business dealings. This includes prohibiting the provision of goods and services, specifically financial services. Retailers and supply chain partners linked to these designated firms may also be warned to sever ties or face fines of up to $1 million per violation.