Our legislation

MCIL administers over 30 Acts and Regulations underpinning Samoa's economic and labour framework — covering companies and securities, foreign investment, consumer protection, intellectual property, labour and employment, occupational safety and health, and industry development. Each Act below links directly to its full text in our Document Library.

Official texts. For the most current authoritative versions of Samoan legislation, see the Office of the Legislative Assembly.

Business & commerce

• Companies Act 2001 — with Amendment Act 2006 and Company Law Reform (Transitional Provisions) Act 2006. Incorporation, governance and dissolution of companies; principal instrument for the Companies Registry.
• Cooperative Societies Ordinance 1952 Registration and regulation of cooperative societies.
• Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1968 Registration of industrial and provident societies for community and mutual-benefit purposes.
• Charitable Trust Act 1965 Registration and administration of charitable trusts.
• Credit Union Act 2015 Establishment and regulation of credit unions.
• Foreign Investment Act 2000 — with Regulations 2011. Foreign investment registration, reserved and restricted activities, and certificate of foreign investment.
• Personal Property Securities Act 2013 — with Regulations 2017. Registration of security interests in personal property; underlies the Personal Property Securities Registry.
• Mercantile Law Act 1975 General mercantile law provisions for commercial transactions.
• Securities Act 2006 Regulation of securities offerings and capital-markets activity.
• Receiverships Act 2006 Appointment and conduct of receivers for insolvent entities.
• Citizenship Investment Act 2015 — with Regulations 2016. Investment-based pathway to Samoan citizenship.

Labour & employment

• Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013 — with Amendment Act 2023, Regulations 2016, and Regulations 2025. Principal employment law: contracts, leave, wages, working conditions, dispute resolution.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act 2002 — with Regulation 2017. Workplace safety, employer duties, OSH inspections and enforcement.
• Apprenticeship Act 2014 — with Regulations 2014. Samoa Apprenticeship Scheme: registration, training standards, completion.
• Public Holidays Act 2008 Statutory public holidays observed in Samoa.
• Samoa Labour Mobility Policy 2023 National policy framework for the RSE and PALM schemes (policy instrument, not legislation).

Consumer protection

• Competition and Consumer Act 2016 Consumer rights, fair trading, and anti-competitive practice — administered through the Samoa Competition and Consumer Commission. Replaced the Fair Trading Act 1998 and Consumer Protection Act 2013.
• Metrology Act 2015 Weights, measures and measurement standards; replaced the Weights and Measures Act 1980.
• Samoa Ava Regulations 2018 Quality and trade standards for Samoan ava.

Intellectual property

• Intellectual Property Act 2011 Single umbrella Act covering trade marks, patents, innovation patents, designs, plant breeder's rights, geographical indications, and layout designs of integrated circuits.
• Copyright Act 1998 Protection of original literary, artistic, musical and other creative works.

Industry, trade & standards

• Trade, Commerce and Industry Act 1990 Statutory basis for the Ministry's trade and industry development functions.
• International Date Line Act 2011 Repositioning of Samoa relative to the International Date Line.

Legislative review. MCIL's legislative portfolio undergoes ongoing review and reform. For current consultations and developments, see News & updates.