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During the period under review, 15 new technical regulations entered into force or were revised, for:
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renewable energy systems – thermal solar systems and components – solar collectors – Part 1: General Requirements (2012).

Trinidad and Tobago adopted the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2000 and in this context approved a National Biosafety Policy in 2014. The objective of the Policy is to develop an appropriate and transparent administrative, regulatory and legislative framework to govern the safe development and use of modern biotechnology products, including living modified organisms and their intended use in food, feed and processing. In 2016, the Cabinet agreed that the national biosafety legislative framework be established in accordance with the Policy. Presently, the National Biosafety Co-ordinating Unit, within the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has responsibility for all matters relating to biosafety within the country. Under the Policy, it is envisaged that the Unit's responsibilities will be transferred to a National Biosafety Committee. No living modified organisms are currently being grown in Trinidad and Tobago. Information was not available regarding whether imports of such organisms are permitted.

For years, Ecuador has adhered to the principle of sustainable development of resources in all phases of its fisheries activities by applying the management measures set out in its domestic legislation and in the resolutions issued by the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), thereby ensuring sound management and conservation of fisheries resources.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) is present in all fisheries, and represents a direct and significant threat both to management efforts and to the sustainability and conservation of fishery resources and marine biodiversity. To counter that threat, Ecuador has taken important steps in terms of international cooperation to combat, prevent and eliminate IUU fishing.

Other actions by Ecuador for the sustainable management of its fisheries include the National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA IUU) in 2015, which set out the country's policy for combating IUU in the territorial waters of Ecuador and the adjacent high seas. This instrument is compatible with the FAO's International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA IUU) as well as regional and international fisheries regulations.

On the energy consumption front, Ecuador is aiming for self-sufficiency as well as a reduction in its use of fossil fuels and substitution of non-renewable sources. (...)

Organic Law on the Promotion of Production, Attraction of Investment and Generation of Employment, and Fiscal Stability and Balance
(...)The Law broadens the scope of the priority sectors identified in the Internal Taxation Law by including (...)energy efficiency, sustainable construction materials(...)
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• A 0% VAT rate on imports and transfers of inputs in the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries sectors; solar panels;
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In 2018, the National Fisheries Control Plan of Ecuador was published, setting out guidelines to make fishery products traceable, discourage and eradicate illegal fishing and supervise all agents involved in fishery activity, to make sure the country's hydrobiological resources are used sustainably. (...)

Main legal instruments governing the mining sector
Legal instrument Description Date of publication in the Official Register Most recent amendment
Ministerial Decision No. 37 of the Ministry of the Environment Environmental regulation of mining activities 27/3/2014 12/7/2016
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Mining regimes, 2018
Artisanal miming Small-scale mining Medium-scale mining Large-scale mining
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Environmental requirements Environmental certificate Environmental licence Environmental licence Environmental licence