No, open burning in Peru is largely prohibited under national environmental laws, with exceptions for agricultural waste under strict municipal oversight. The Ley General del Ambiente (Law No. 28611) and Decreto Supremo No. 014-2017-MINAM classify open burning as a prohibited activity unless authorized by regional governments. Recent 2026 compliance shifts, driven by air quality crises in Lima and Cusco, have tightened enforcement via DIGESA and OEFA monitoring.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Peru
- National Prohibitions: Open burning of municipal, industrial, or household waste is banned under Decreto Supremo No. 014-2017-MINAM, with penalties up to 10,000 UIT (approx. $12M USD) for violations. Agricultural burning requires prior approval from regional Direcciones Regionales de Agricultura.
- Regional Oversight: Municipalities like Lima’s MML and Arequipa’s GERESA enforce local decrees, often requiring environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for controlled burns. Non-compliance triggers fines from OEFA under Ley No. 28245.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: New Plan Nacional de Calidad del Aire mandates real-time satellite monitoring by CONIDA to curb illegal burns, particularly in high-altitude valleys where particulate matter exceeds WHO limits.