A construction site is a clear source of environmental impact throughout the works: dust, noise, construction and demolition waste, hazardous materials and heavy equipment movement. The Implementing Regulation for Environmental Permits treats the construction phase as a separate stage with its own permit and conditions. The project owner holds the permit, but applying its conditions on site usually falls to the contractor, so contractors and developers need a clear picture of what is required before and during works.
Before you start: the construction permit
The regulation requires an environmental construction permit before any construction works begin. It is granted after the activity is classified and the environmental conditions for the construction phase are set. For Category 1 activities, the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) requires approval of an environmental management plan and a rehabilitation plan for specified activities, prepared by a licensed provider. The construction permit is valid for three years, extendable by two for large projects. Splitting a project into phases to lower its category allows NCEC to reject the study or cancel a prior approval.
During works: what the regulations require
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dust | Covering or spraying airborne-prone materials, dust-proof transport vehicles and stabilized haul routes (Article 7 of the Air Quality Regulation) |
| Noise | Area limits may be exceeded during construction only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., by at most 10 dB for works up to 2.5 hours, 5 dB up to 8 hours, and no increase beyond that |
| Construction and demolition waste | Sorted and transported by carriers licensed by the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) to approved sites; leaving or dumping it elsewhere is prohibited |
| Hazardous materials | Fuel, oils and paints stored on leak-proof surfaces, with residues handed over as hazardous waste |
| Water | No discharge of wash or concrete water into streets or neighboring land |
The site environmental management plan
A practical plan the contractor follows throughout construction, covering dust, noise, waste, hazardous materials, water and emergencies, with records proving implementation: waste transport documents, spraying schedules and heavy equipment hours. A written plan the site supervisor knows nothing about is one of the most common inspection findings.
Responsibility between owner and contractor
The permit is in the owner's name and the contractor executes. The Waste Management Law holds waste producers and service providers liable for damages and makes anyone who deposits waste with an unlicensed party jointly liable. So environmental obligations belong explicitly in the construction contract: who transports waste and under which license, who applies dust and noise measures, and who documents them.
Guides for contractors
- Construction and demolition waste: sorting, transport and approved sites
- Noise at facilities and construction sites
- Environmental requirements for villas and residential compounds
- The right order of environmental permit, building permit and municipal license
How Abak Green helps contractors and developers
Abak Green is part of ABAK Engineering Consulting, so we understand the reality of a construction site, not just the paperwork. We manage the environmental construction permit, prepare environmental management plans for Category 1 projects, set up documentation templates and follow implementation on site, linking it with engineering supervision when needed. Contact us about your project.
