Businesses dealing in hazardous chemicals have been given one month to register their operations and obtain the required licence, the Ministry of Defence and National Security has announced.

The ministry said businesses that import, store, use, sell or dispose of hazardous chemicals must comply with the Regulation on Hazardous Chemicals under the Prohibited Imports Act.

It said inspections have found that some businesses have been operating without the required licence and warned that unsafe storage of hazardous chemicals poses a serious risk to public safety.

Businesses have been instructed to register their storage facilities through the Makudi Portal and apply for a chemical sales licence within one month. The ministry said licences will only be issued after facilities are inspected and found to meet the required safety standards.

The ministry warned that enforcement action will be taken against businesses that fail to register and obtain a licence after the grace period expires.