Abu Dhabi Environment issues regulations for reconciliation and grievances against environmental violations and fines

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi issued a regulation regarding reconciliation and grievance regarding environmental administrative violations and fines in the emirate, which ensures the provision of a clear mechanism for reconciliation and grievance, sets an integrated regulatory framework for both procedures, supports the principle of transparency, and encourages the violator to reconcile and voluntarily pay administrative fines..

The regulations were prepared in accordance with the provisions of Law No. (16) of 2005 regarding the reorganization of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and its amendments, which grants the authority the authority to offer reconciliation to the violator regarding the violations and administrative fines it imposes in exchange for the violator’s commitment to pay a fine equivalent to (75%) of the total administrative fine specified. for violation, and the provisions of the regulations apply to the violations and administrative fines included in the Authority’s Board of Directors Resolution No. (2) of 2021 regarding the schedule Administrative violations and fines. The regulations specify procedures and controls for reconciliation and grievances related to administrative violations and fines imposed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi..

The regulations stipulate that reconciliation is not permissible in the event of a repetition of the same violation except after the passage of one calendar year, calculated from the date of committing the previous violation. Likewise, reconciliation is not permissible in violations determined by the Authority or that have an environmental impact in accordance with the considerations decided by the Authority. The regulations also stipulate that: In cases where it is not permissible to offer reconciliation to the violator, or it is rejected by him, or the prescribed period for paying the reconciliation has expired, the violator is obligated to pay the full value of the prescribed fine within a specified period from the date of Preparing a record of the procedures. The violator is also obligated to remove traces of the violation and restore the situation to what it was before on the date specified by the Authority. If he does not do so, the Authority will remove them at his expense..

In terms of grievance procedures, the regulations give the violator the right to file a grievance against the violation within (60) days from the date the violator is notified of it, provided that the grievance includes all the reasons on which the grievance is based and is accompanied by all the data that he wishes to submit to prove a grievance. Rejecting the grievance entails the violator’s obligation. By paying the prescribed administrative fine. The decision issued in the grievance is also considered final.

Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said that issuing the regulation comes within the framework of developing the legislative system related to environmental enforcement and imposing environmental administrative violations and fines in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which contributes to addressing the potential negative environmental impacts that could arise from development activities. Industrial, tourism and other activities, thus supporting the Authority’s efforts to preserve the environment and its various elements and sustain them for future generations..

She indicated that the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi will implement the requirements of the regulation in the emirate in coordination and cooperation with strategic partners and based on systematic and organized procedures that will contribute to achieving the desired goals of this regulation.“.