Background
The minister of the Ministry of Environment stated that investment projects with capital under US$5 million fall outside central ministry control and that municipal and provincial administrations are the approving authorities for those projects. Provincial environmental departments are responsible for conducting environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for projects approved at the provincial level, according to the minister’s account.
Cambodian law prohibits the import of battery waste, electrical-equipment waste and electronic waste. The ministry reported that some banned imports have been presented as humanitarian donations or as investment-and-processing projects for export, allowing those shipments to enter under different administrative classifications.
Scope of Application
The statements apply to cross-border shipments of battery and electronic waste and to domestic investment approvals with declared capital below US$5 million. The minister identified two distinct administrative pathways: central-level environmental oversight for larger projects and provincial-level approval and EIA processing for smaller investments.
Key Provisions or Decisions
Ministry of Environment officials indicated that certain firms did not apply for central environmental permits and proceeded with processing activities after receiving authorisation from the Ministry of Industry. The minister cited an example of a battery-recycling facility that obtained an industry permit, later experienced a fire and explosion, and was recorded as having applied for investment and raw-material processing status rather than a central EIA permit.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Investors and enterprises engaged in importing, recycling, or processing batteries and electronic equipment should verify which administrative body issues approvals for their declared investment size and ensure that applicable environmental assessment procedures are completed at the correct level. Companies relying on donation or investment classifications to import prohibited waste may face regulatory review or administrative action by provincial authorities or central ministries if non-compliance is identified.
Official Source
Statements reported by CNC and a Ministry of Environment interview with Minister Ieuang Sophalet; related video material available at the ministry’s referenced social media links and the published YouTube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM1CPOm595A&t=75s. Original social post: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1044096211850589/.
