No, open burning is illegal in Singapore under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), enforced by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Exceptions exist only for controlled agricultural or land-clearing fires with prior NEA approval, but these are rare and tightly scrutinized under the 2026 Green Plan’s stricter air quality standards.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Singapore
- Prohibition under EPMA: Section 24 of the EPMA explicitly bans open burning, with penalties up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment for repeat offenders. The NEA actively monitors hotspots via satellite and ground patrols.
- Agricultural/land-clearing exemptions: Only permitted with NEA’s written consent, subject to wind conditions, firebreaks, and real-time air quality indices. Non-compliance triggers immediate enforcement action.
- 2026 compliance shifts: The NEA’s upcoming Air Quality Improvement Plan tightens enforcement, including mandatory use of biomass boilers for waste-to-energy plants and stricter penalties for haze-linked burning.
Violations are prosecuted under the Environmental Public Health Act for nuisance fires, while transboundary haze incidents may invoke the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, imposing fines up to S$100,000 per day. Businesses and individuals must adhere to the Code of Practice on Open Burning, which outlines alternative waste disposal methods like incineration or recycling.