Commentary: Singapore’s haze law gets sharper teeth. Will it finally bite?

Singapore has passed amendments to its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act after its worst haze episode in more than a decade. The changes let authorities act when fires abroad create a risk of haze reaching Singapore, giving the law a more preventive role after it went unused for prosecutions or lawsuits since 2014.

Authorities have served notices on 20 companies and summoned leaders of 10 to meet ministers. The amended law allows the environment agency to require suspected companies to appoint assessors, who can inspect land and request documents. Maximum daily fines rise to S$1 million, capped at S$20 million, and civil penalties of up to S$10 million may be imposed under a lower standard of proof.