Background
JIAGUO AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY (CAMBODIA) CO., LTD., located in Trach village, Kampong Chin Cheung commune, Stoeng district, Kampong Thom province, produces mango processing. The company was found to be operating in violation of environmental laws by discharging liquid waste without a legal environmental permit and lacking proper environmental treatment facilities.
Scope of Application
The Ministry of Environment’s enforcement applies to the company’s production activities involving liquid waste discharge and air emissions, which affect local environmental quality.
Key Provisions or Decisions
- Temporary suspension of the company’s production to conduct waste cleanup and prevent further pollution.
- Immediate cessation of untreated liquid waste discharge.
- Construction of a compliant liquid waste treatment pond according to technical standards.
- Preparation of an initial Environmental Impact Assessment report.
- Correction of air emission treatment systems to meet technical standards; reported emissions include CO=3237 ppm, NOx=4771 ppm, and SO2=1232 ppm, all exceeding allowed limits.
- Compensation for environmental damages based on verified calculations.
- Proper storage of mango peel and seeds with strict prohibition on open burning of all waste types.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The case underscores the critical necessity for industrial operators to obtain environmental permits and maintain compliant waste management systems in Cambodia. Non-compliance risks immediate enforcement actions, financial liabilities for damages, and operational disruptions. Businesses must prioritize adherence to the Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management (Articles 156, 161, 173, and 668) to ensure sustainable operations and avoid penalties.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment Cambodia Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/MinistryOfEnvironmentCambodia/posts/pfbid02JhXS1iZy5JaLBCTSwK75dvVTRNMRZdXESoKbtScJWZNm32Mk9CrAkR5wGi4NibkEl
