3 Environmental Regulations Approved to Transform Mauritius Air Quality Standards

The Cabinet has officially approved the Environment (Standards for Ambient Air Quality and Stack Emission) Regulations 2026, introducing a rigorous legal framework designed to overhaul air quality monitoring and protect public health.

Announced following a Cabinet meeting on Friday, 17 April 2026, the new legislation establishes three primary pillars of environmental standards.

The regulations define maximum permissible limits for pollutants in the ambient air, aiming to safeguard both the environment and the general population from the adverse effects of poor air quality.

Targeted Crackdown on Industrial Emissions

A significant portion of the new framework focuses on “stack emissions,” or pollutants released from industrial chimneys.

For the first time, authorities will regulate a broader range of hazardous substances, including:

• Dioxins and furans
• Heavy metals and mercury
• Volatile organic compounds

Under these rules, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change is empowered to intervene directly.

Should a factory exceed authorized limits, the Ministry can legally mandate any mitigation measures deemed appropriate to curb the pollution.

High-Temperature Mandates for Incinerators

The 2026 regulations also introduce specific provisions for solid waste and medical waste incinerators, as well as crematoriums.

These facilities are now strictly required to operate at an optimal thermal control temperature of 1,100°C.

This high-temperature threshold is a critical health measure designed to prevent the release of dioxins and furans.

These substances are classified as extremely dangerous and are linked to cancer, reproductive issues, developmental disorders, and significant damage to the immune system.

Compliance Deadlines and National Interest

While the standards are stringent, the government has built “strategic flexibility” into the rollout.

Private industrial sectors have been granted a six-month moratorium to bring their operations into full compliance with the new air quality benchmarks.

Furthermore, the compliance period may be extended for public departments if such a delay is deemed to be in the national interest.

Source: Defi Media