Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), article 74

74. The Authority may also undertake a review of any such activities carried out before the coming into force of this Act , or any other Act preceding this Act, not in compliance with rules, regulations, plans, policies or authorisations in force at the time the activity took place; and in respect of any such an activity the Authority shall have such powers as it has in respect of an act ivity carried out after the coming into force of this Act in order to ensure that the rules, regulations, plans and policies aforesaid are complied with or to regularise any such an activity to the extent the Authority deems adequate in the circumstances, or, if this is n ot reasonably possible, to enforce said compliance. Officers. 75. (1) The Authority may appoint officers for the purposes of this Act, and such officers may upon production of proof of the ir identity, in order to ensure compliance with this Act or any regulations made thereunder: (a) enquire from any person information in connection with any activity, ownership or other matter regulated by this Act; (b) order moving vehicles or vessels to stop and open any cargo or goods area and displ ace goods as instructed to enable the officers to carry out immediate, on the spot inspections, investigations and monitoring; (c) take compliance action includ ing the issuing of stop or compliance orders to any person in accordance with the provisions of article 76 and the issuing of fines; (d) in line with the precautionary principle, issue temporary stop orders, for a maximum of ten days every calendar year, for investigations as to the legality of any activity or for any necessary monitoring. Cap. 9. Cap. 37. (2) The provisions of sub-article (1) shall be without prejudice to the powers of the Police, Community Officers, the Comptrolle r of Customs or of any other authority under the Criminal Code , the Customs Ordinance or any other law. (3) Officers appointed under this article shall, notwithstanding any other law, have the right to assist the police in the condu ct of prosecution for offences under this Act and to plead the case o n behalf of the prosecution. (4) The Authority may request the assistance of the Police Force, of the Armed Forces of Ma lta, of Transport Malta and any other competent government e ntity, and in acceding to such requests, each of these shall for such purpose exercise such po wers as are vested in them at law. Compliance procedure. Amended by: XXX.2023.7.