Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1516278
MATTHEW FARRUGIA GOVERNMENT has launched a public consulta- tion on new environment per- mitting regulations. The proposed regulations which will be enforced and observed by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) will see a number of commercial activities which currently do not fall under ERA's remit abide by the new regulations. For instance, batching plants, crematoriums and cement packaging facilities would now have to abide by the proposed regulation af- ter the regulations are signed into law. During a press briefing at ERA's headquarters, it was also explained that with the new regulations, the issu- ing of certain environmental permits will now be open for public consultation, giving interested parties a chance to object to the approval of the permits. Environmental risk categories The regulations introduce a three-tier system for environ- mental permits based on the environmental risk each ap- plication poses. The timelines for each permit is also based on the risk tier. Level one comprises low- risk activities such as tree interventions, hull cleaning and consignment permits for transferring waste. These permits are to be issued with- in 90 days after ERA's valida- tion of the application. Level two refers for medium risk activities, such as back- filling quarries, as this type of permit should be processed up to 120 days after the vali- dation process. The third level refers to the highest risk activities such as hazardous waste management activities, fuel terminals, pet- rol stations and aquaculture. These permits will be issued by ERA up to 270 days after validation. Permitting procedure The permitting procedure will be established by law in six stages after the application enters ERA's digital system. Firstly ERA vets the applica- tion, after which it is validat- ed should the applicant meet ERA's requirements. The application may then be subject to public consultation if it meets the necessary re- quirements, after which ERA drafts the permit. ERA then passes on to the determina- tion stage, after which it is subject to appeal by the inter- ested parties. Public consultation With regards to the pub- lic's input, the draft regula- tions state that, "Any person may make representations on applications falling with- in those categories indicated within the First Schedule…" The First Schedule refers to environmental activities such as certain waste management operations, interventions on more than 10 protected trees, and the use of genetically modified organisms. ERA may also publish pend- ing applications if they fall within the Second Schedule. Here, the public may be con- sulted on activities related to land reclamation, slaughter- houses, asphalt plants and certain quarrying operations. 22.2.2024 2 NEWS 22.2.2024 THE Malta Financial Services Authori- ty (MFSA) has released its Supervisory Priorities for 2024. is document sets the MFSA's focus for its supervisory engagement in 2024 and outlines how it is implementing an outcomes-based approach to supervision, which will be introduced through a pilot project fo- cusing on digital finance regulation and trust beneficial ownership register. e aim of outcomes-based super- vision as designed by the MFSA is to assess the results achieved by licence holders in specific areas in line with the identified outcomes. is method builds upon the MFSA's risk-based approach, which has focused the Authority's su- pervisory efforts based on the likelihood of failure and the severity of harm to stakeholders of the financial industry. Outcomes-based supervision is not a one-time exercise but a continuous pro- cess of monitoring, evaluation and adap- tation. e adoption of outcomes-based supervision implements part of the MF- SA's 2023 Strategic Statement. e Chief Executive Officer of the MFSA, Kenneth Farrugia said: "Our Su- pervisory Priorities for 2024 were de- signed to actively tackle the most prom- inent issues that the financial services sector faces today. While maintaining alignment with the Authority's strategic objectives, the MFSA looks to present a unified front to all financial market par- ticipants. With an outcomes-based ap- proach, we aim to establish concrete reg- ulatory outcomes systematically fostering a strong foundation for the industry's long-term success, as we remain open to further enhance our supervision and maintaining collaboration with other Na- tional Competent Authorities (NCAs)." e priorities build on the strategic objectives set out in the MFSA Strategic Statement published in February 2023, namely delivering agile and proactive regulation; sustaining a resilient, inter- nationally networked financial sector; promoting good governance and com- pliance; embracing innovation; and en- gaging with the public. e Authority is once again highlight- ing three ongoing supervisory priorities which are paramount in the context of its day-to-day processes and are em- phasised again this year. ese are Gov- ernance, Risk & Compliance; Financial Crime Compliance; and Consumer Pro- tection and Education. e MFSA is also highlighting four fo- cused supervisory priorities which are: Resilience of Supervised Entities; Sus- tainable Finance; Digital Finance; and Cross-Border Supervision. MFSA's Chief Officer Supervision, Christopher P. Buttigieg, said: "We are determined to continue delivering op- timal financial supervision in Malta, which also includes the supervision of cross-border business. e introduction of outcomes-based supervision reinforc- es our risk-based approach to strengthen consumer protection, market integrity and financial stability. We are confident that the implementation of this ap- proach to supervision will lead towards more effective supervisory engagement by targeting the achievement of specific tangible outcomes. e MFSA seeks to become a leading supervisor with re- spect to this supervisory method." He added that: "In 2023, the Authority conducted over 900 risk-based supervi- sory engagements, followed by a number of publications setting our findings and supervisory expectations including Dear CEO Letters and new volumes on the Nature and Art of Supervision. In 2024, the MFSA will continue to enhance its supervisory efforts while providing guid- ance to the industry, and information to consumers on the manner they are being protected at a national level." MFSA shifts to outcomes-based supervision in 2024 LETTER OF INTENTION Dr. Adrian Sciberras declare his intention to register for an Employment Agency license in accordance to article 23 of the Employment and Training Services Act, 1990 (Act XXVIII of 1990). The activities proposed to be carried out are the following: 1. Recruitment Consultancy. 2. Interviewing, selection, and placements of candidates in employment. 3. Recruitments of persons from abroad for employment in Malta or in an EU member state. 4. Recruitment in persons in Malta for employment in Malta or in an EU member state. 5. Advertising for the filling of vacancies. 6. Keeping a register of applicants for employment. Official Registered Office Address: Abacus Business Centre, Level 0, Dun Karm Street, B'Kara Bypass, Birkirkara BKR 9037, Malta. The Office Address of the premises at which the employment agency or employment business is to be carried out: Abacus Business Centre, Level 0, Dun Karm Street, B'Kara Bypass, Birkirkara BKR 9037, Malta. Identity Card Number: 224580M Date: 27/12/2023 Government launches public consultation on new environmental permit regulations