FAOLEX Database

Bhutan - Country Profiles

Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Date of text: 18 July 2008

Policies

National Energy Policy 2025.
Date of text: 01 June 2025
Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (2024-2029).
Date of text: 2024
Bhutan’s Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategy (LTS).
Date of text: 2023
Carbon Markets Rules for the Kingdom of Bhutan 2023.
Date of text: 2023
Hydro-met Policy of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2023.
Date of text: 2023

Legislation

Agricultural and rural development

Bhutan Building Regulation 2018.
Date of text: 01 April 2018

Cultivated plants

Biosafety Act of Bhutan 2015.
Date of text: 12 May 2015
Seeds Act of Bhutan, 2000.
Date of text: 17 August 2000
Pesticides Act of Bhutan, 2000.
Date of text: 14 August 2000
Plant Quarantine Act of Bhutan.
Date of text: 01 January 1993
Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan, 2010
Date of text: 06 June 2010

Disaster risk management

Disaster Management Act of Bhutan, 2013.
Date of text: 27 February 2013
Disaster Management Rules and Regulation, 2014.
Date of text: 2014

Environment

National Environment Protection Act, 2007.
Date of text: 21 June 2007
Biosafety Act of Bhutan 2015.
Date of text: 12 May 2015
Waste Prevention and Management Act of Bhutan, 2009.
Date of text: 2009
Environmental Assessment Act, 2000.
Date of text: 2000
Waste Prevention and Management Regulation, 2012.
Date of text: 2012

Fisheries and aquaculture

Livestock Act of Bhutan 2001.
Date of text: 25 August 2001
Bhutan Fishing Rules, 1974.
Date of text: 01 January 1974
Bhutan Fishing (Amendment) Rules, 1992.
Date of text: 01 November 1992

Food and nutrition

Food Act, 2005.
Date of text: 30 November 2005
Food Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2017.
Date of text: 05 July 2017
Slaughter and meat inspection 1981 (By-law No. 5).
Date of text: 1981
Veterinary food and commodity inspection 1981 (By-law No. 6).
Date of text: 1981
Centenary Farmers Market Management Rules and Regulations, 2009.
Date of text: 2009

Forestry

Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 2023.
Date of text: 2023
Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations, 2023.
Date of text: 31 October 2023
Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2017.
Date of text: 2000 (2017)
Private Forestry Rules, 1990.
Date of text: 03 July 1990
Lease Forest Rules, 1990.
Date of text: 03 July 1990

Land and soil

Land Act of Bhutan 2007.
Date of text: 27 June 2007
Land Lease Rules and Regulations 2018.
Date of text: 2018
Property Tax Act of Bhutan, 2022.
Date of text: 2022
Tenancy Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2015.
Date of text: 14 May 2015
Moveable and Immovable Property Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 1999.
Date of text: 1999

Livestock

Livestock Act of Bhutan 2001.
Date of text: 25 August 2001
Medicines Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2003.
Date of text: 2003
Bhutan Medicines Rules and Regulation 2019.
Date of text: 2019
Livestock Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2017.
Date of text: 22 May 2017
Improvement of cattle and other livestock and poultry 1981 (By-law No. 1).
Date of text: 1981

Mineral resources and energy

Electricity Act, 2001.
Date of text: 26 July 2001
Mines and Minerals Management Act, 1995.
Date of text: 1995
Mines and Minerals Management Regulations, 2022.
Date of text: 2022
Surface Collection Rules and Regulations, 2024.
Date of text: 2024
Grid Code Regulation, 2008.
Date of text: 28 March 2008

Water

Water Act of Bhutan, 2011.
Date of text: 31 May 2011
Water Regulation of Bhutan 2014.
Date of text: 2014
Bhutan Drinking Water Quality Standards 2025.
Date of text: 2016 (2025)
Dam Safety Guidelines for Hydropower in Bhutan, 2020 (Rev-2024).
Date of text: 01 May 2020 (2024)
Water Quality Standards, 2018.
Date of text: 06 July 2018

Wild species and ecosystems

Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, 2022.
Date of text: 2022
Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 2023.
Date of text: 2023
Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations, 2023.
Date of text: 31 October 2023
Biodiversity Rules and Regulations of Bhutan, 2023.
Date of text: 2023
Rules on biological corridors, 2006.
Date of text: 2006

Miscellaneous

Penal Code of Bhutan 2004.
Date of text: 0000 (2004)
Consumer Protection Act of Bhutan, 2012.
Date of text: 16 January 2012
Anti-Corruption Act of Bhutan 2011.
Date of text: 30 May 2011
Cooperative (Amendment) Act of Bhutan, 2009.
Date of text: 2001 (2009)
Customs Act of Bhutan 2017.
Date of text: 2017

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