If your company collects, transports, sorts, stores, treats or recycles waste, you work in one of the most regulated sectors in Saudi Arabia. The Waste Management Law states that no waste management activity may be carried out without a license or permit from the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), according to the conditions of each activity. In addition, your facilities may need an environmental permit from the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC). This page brings together what waste management companies need.
Two files, not one
| File | Authority | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Waste management license or permit | National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) | Collection, transport, sorting, storage, treatment, recycling, safe disposal, import and export |
| Environmental construction and operating permit | National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) | The impact of the company's facility (sorting station, treatment plant, storage yard) on the environment |
Service provider obligations under the Waste Management Law
- Dispose of waste by the methods set by MWAN and the regulation, following the priorities of recycling, then resource recovery, then safe disposal.
- Verify information on incoming waste, complete the register and transport document, and ensure it falls within the licensed scope.
- Meet transport document requirements for transport, storage, treatment and safe disposal providers.
- Accept waste types within the licensed scope, for treatment, recycling and disposal providers.
- Return waste to its producer if it cannot be delivered to its approved destination.
- Notify MWAN of emergencies or serious errors and report their causes and effects.
- Provide a financial guarantee or insurance covering civil liability when licensed to operate a waste management facility, as set by the regulation.
Hazardous waste carriers: additional obligations
The law requires providers licensed to transport hazardous waste to use vehicles meeting MWAN's specifications, display warning signs, carry the required hazardous waste documents, notify the competent authority of routes and any changes, avoid residential areas and city centers at times set by the authority, notify the authority of vehicle parking locations, and wash and disinfect vehicles after every use. MWAN's collection and transport conditions prohibit delivering hazardous waste to unlicensed facilities.
Penalties
- Storing, burning, treating, dumping or disposing of waste in a way that endangers public health or harms the environment: imprisonment of up to ten years and a fine of up to SAR 30 million, or either, before the competent court.
- Other violations of the law and license conditions: a fine of up to SAR 10 million, suspension of the license for up to six months, or cancellation, doubled for a repeat within three years.
- The Minister may suspend the activity partly or fully for up to thirty days for a violation requiring urgent action to prevent a disaster.
Guides for waste companies
- Requirements for recycling and waste sorting centers
- Landfill rehabilitation: framework and plan elements
- Waste management in residential and commercial compounds
- E-waste in companies and offices
How Abak Green helps waste companies
We identify the right license and scope for your activity, prepare the MWAN license file, waste management plan and technical documents, manage your facilities' environmental permit, and set up storage, records and emergency procedures. Contact us to prepare your license file.
