Many warehouse owners assume storage is a "clean" activity with no environmental relevance. That is sometimes true and often wrong: what determines whether a warehouse needs an environmental permit is what is stored and how, its size, its location and its associated operations. Under the classification criteria of the Implementing Regulation for Environmental Permits, the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) looks at the type and size of the activity, energy used, location and surrounding sensitive receptors.

What determines a warehouse's requirements?

  • Type of stored materials: general goods, chilled food, medicines, or chemical or flammable materials.
  • Size of the activity: area, storage quantities and shipping traffic.
  • Location: proximity to homes, schools or water sources.
  • Associated operations: refilling, packaging, fleet maintenance, refrigeration or generators.

Chemical and hazardous materials warehouses

This category needs special attention, because any leak or fire spreads to soil, air and neighbors. Expected elements of its environmental file include:

  • An up-to-date inventory and a safety data sheet for each material.
  • Storage that segregates incompatible materials, with floors and containment that prevent leaks.
  • For solvents: no storage in aluminum or magnesium alloys, and vapor recovery for tanks over 5 cubic meters under the Air Quality Regulation.
  • An environmental emergency preparedness and response plan for spills or fires.
  • Disposal of contaminated containers and damaged materials through a carrier licensed by the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN).
  • Immediate notification of NCEC when soil contamination is detected, as the soil regulation requires.

Cold stores and pharmaceutical warehouses

Refrigeration systems run on gases regulated by the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulation, so they are serviced by a licensed party that recovers the gas instead of releasing it. Expired and returned medicines are hazardous waste handed to a licensed carrier, and spoiled food is isolated, documented and transported by licensed parties. Approval by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority does not replace the environmental permit.

Distribution centers and logistics warehouses

Even a general warehouse can have impacts: a truck fleet and generators, large volumes of packaging waste and an equipment maintenance area. The Waste Management Law requires sorting recyclables such as cardboard, plastic and pallets. The Noise Regulation sets 65 dB by day and 55 at night for commercial areas including warehouses, so night-time loading near neighborhoods is a frequent cause of complaints.

A common mistake: changing what is stored

A warehouse permitted for general goods starts storing chemicals for a new client. This changes the type of activity, and the regulation requires a new operating permit before any change to the type or size of the activity. Doing it without approval allows NCEC to suspend the permit until corrected, with penalties.

Guides for warehouses

How Abak Green helps warehouses

We review what your warehouse stores, its operations and location, determine the requirements, and manage the permit file, environmental management plan, emergency plan and records. Request a review of your warehouse.