CEPA issues five orders over environment permit breaches
The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority [CEPA] has issued five Environment Protection Orders to companies found to have breached their environment permit conditions.
The action was revealed during a three-day information session held in Lae last week, where CEPA met with companies to discuss environmental protection, compliance requirements, and recent changes to environmental laws.
CEPA representative and Manager for Environment Permitting and Registry, Susan Yakia, said the session was part of CEPA’s Nationwide Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program.
“This is CEPA’s Nationwide Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program. The session provides an important platform for open dialogue between CEPA and key industry stakeholders in Lae, one of Papua New Guinea’s largest industrial hubs.
"Discussions are focused on CEPA’s regulatory amendments, compliance monitoring efforts, institutional reforms, and industry concerns regarding policy implementation,” Ms Yakia said.
CEPA Managing Director Jude Tukuliya told company representatives that protecting the environment is not only a legal requirement but also a shared responsibility.
He acknowledged that there are still challenges in meeting environmental standards and said CEPA wants to work closely with industries to improve environmental practices across the country.
Mr Tukuliya said CEPA’s enforcement actions are aimed at encouraging responsible development and not stopping business operations.
According to CEPA, the five Environment Protection Orders were issued to companies that failed to comply with permit conditions and environmental standards.
The breaches included poor waste management practices, exceeding approved waste discharge limits, and failing to submit required environmental reports.
The companies have been ordered to take immediate corrective action, put measures in place to reduce environmental harm, and submit plans showing how they will improve compliance within a set timeframe.
CEPA warned that companies that fail to comply with the orders could face further penalties or have their operations suspended.
The authority also reminded businesses that amendments to the Environment Act now carry heavy penalties for companies carrying out regulated activities without a valid Environment Permit.
The information session also highlighted the new Environment Regulations 2026, which came into effect on June 1 this year, and ongoing work towards the National Waste Management Policy 2026–2036.