Environmental Permit: A prerequisite for operation
An environmental license or permit is an official document granted to establishments or projects after verifying their compliance with the environmental controls and standards approved in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This document is a prerequisite for commencing the implementation or operation of any activity that may have an environmental impact, whether industrial, agricultural, commercial, or service-related.
The scope of environmental compliance includes multiple areas, such as waste management, air emissions, industrial discharges, chemical use, and noise. The license or permit is granted after an environmental impact assessment study and the identification of the technical requirements that must be adhered to during operation.
An environmental license is also required when expanding or modifying existing activities, and it must be renewed periodically or updated in the event of any substantial change in the nature of the project. These requirements apply specifically to environmental licenses for factories and large industrial facilities that have direct environmental impacts.
Our services in obtaining environmental licenses and permits:
- Preparing and submitting new environmental licensing applications for projects and facilities to the relevant authorities.
- Issuing environmental impact assessment permits for industrial, commercial, agricultural, and residential projects, including environmental licensing for factories.
- Obtaining waste management permits (collection, transportation, treatment, storage, or disposal of waste).
- Issuing air emissions and liquid discharge permits for industrial facilities.
- Applying for permits to transport and store hazardous or chemical materials.
- Issuing or renewing existing environmental permits for operational projects.
- Preparing and submitting technical compliance documents through the environmental licensing platform.
- Follow up on transactions until obtaining official and final approvals from environmental authorities.
- Correct or update data in existing environmental permits as per project requirements.
- Providing technical consultations to ensure that the project complies with environmental license requirements before submission.
Conditions for obtaining an environmental license
To obtain an environmental license in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, establishments or projects must comply with a set of requirements set by the relevant environmental authorities. The most prominent conditions include the following:
- Submit an environmental impact assessment study for the project, outlining potential environmental impacts and mitigation plans, especially for projects related to environmental licensing for factories.
- Precisely define the type of activity and classify it according to the degree of environmental impact (high, medium, low).
- Provide technical drawings and information about the project (such as location, production lines, materials used, emission sources).
- Compliance with national environmental standards, especially with regard to waste disposal, emissions, and industrial discharges.
- Provides environmental management plans that include waste management, pollution prevention, and environmental emergency plans.
- Upload all documents and papers via the environmental licensing platform.
- Payment of the regular fees associated with the environmental permit application.
- Compliance with any comments or requirements issued by the competent authority during the review phase.
- All information provided must also be accurate and up-to-date, and any change in activity or location after obtaining an environmental permit requires updating the permit or submitting a new application.
Types of environmental licenses
Environmental licenses are divided into several types, depending on the nature of the activity and its impact on the environment. They are issued by the National Center for Environmental Compliance Control, and include the following:
It is granted prior to the start of project implementation, and requires the preparation of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment study, especially for projects with high or medium environmental impact.
Granted to establishments with expired or near-expiring environmental permits, it includes updating data and reviewing compliance with requirements.
Required when making changes in the nature of the activity, expanding production capacity, or adding new operating lines.
It is required when the facility is moved from one location to another, and requires updating the environmental impact study according to the new location.
Specific to projects of a temporary nature, such as construction sites or seasonal field work, and include a specific implementation period.
Such as waste collection, transportation, and treatment companies, or environmental monitoring service providers, which require qualified technical personnel and compatible equipment.
How to issue environmental licenses and permits
The process of issuing environmental permits and licenses goes through several organized stages to ensure the project's compliance with the environmental regulations adopted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Al-Maqayis Company provides this service professionally, and it includes the following steps:
The type and nature of the activity are first determined, to determine whether the project requires a specific environmental permit such as an environmental impact assessment, an environmental waste management permit, or an environmental permit for the transport or storage of hazardous materials.
The facility is required to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment Study or Environmental Management Plan, along with all technical details such as location, production lines, materials used, and expected emissions, as an essential part of the procedures for obtaining an approved environmental license.
All documents must be uploaded electronically via the approved platform, with the required forms and data completed according to the type of activity and the type of environmental permit required.
Technical documents and studies are carefully reviewed, and the facility may be asked to complete some data or make amendments to ensure compliance with the requirements of the approved environmental permit.
Upon initial acceptance, the required official fees must be paid, which vary depending on the type of environmental license and the nature of the project.
After all requirements are met, the environmental permit or license is issued electronically. It is for a fixed term and must be renewed periodically or updated when the activity changes, ensuring continued compliance.
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