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NCEC classifies activities by their expected environmental impact, looking at the type and size of the activity, energy use, depletion of natural resources, land use, nearby sensitive receptors and the nature, degree, duration, reversibility, likelihood and scale of the impact. Category 1 stays within the site, Category 2 is moderate and controllable, Category 3 is significant and may extend beyond the site.
Key terms used in this guide 7 terms
- Category 1 activities
- Activities expected to produce low environmental impact that does not exceed the perimeter of the activity's site. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الأولى (meaning “activities of the first category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), First
- Category 2 activities
- Activities expected to produce moderate environmental impact throughout the different stages of the activity. The impact may be alleviated and controlled, and does not largely exceed the perimeter of the activity's site. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الثانية (meaning “activities of the second category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), Second
- Category 3 activities
- Activities expected to produce significant environmental, social and economic impact, which may exceed the perimeter of the activity's site and adversely affect the sustainability of environmentally sensitive areas and receptors. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الثالثة (meaning “activities of the third category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), Third
- Detailed environmental impact assessment study
- A study explaining the environmental impacts resulting from the activity and including the basic elements of an EIA (translated from the Arabic guide). Activities within environmentally sensitive areas, or within 500 meters of them or of receptors, must conduct one. Arabic: دراسة مفصلة لتقييم الأثر البيئي (meaning “a detailed study for assessing the environmental impact”) Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (6) and Permit guide, definitions
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) study
- Study aimed at determining, estimating and evaluating the environmental impact of any activity classified by the Center as category 2 or 3, with the objective of incorporating environmental considerations into the final design of the activity, along with economic, social and security considerations, and identifying the necessary alternatives and measures to protect the environment. Arabic: دراسة تقييم الأثر البيئي (meaning “study of the assessment of the environmental impact”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Environmentally sensitive areas
- Areas with environmental significance whose degradation has negative repercussions for the environment. They include protected areas, parks, forests, wetlands, significant bird habitat, mangroves, landscaped sites, watersheds, water catchment and run-off areas, beaches, waterways, aquifers or any other area identified or declared as environmentally sensitive by the State, the Ministry or the national environmental centers. Arabic: المناطق الحساسة بيئياً (meaning “areas sensitive environmentally”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Sensitive receptors
- Receptors that are likely to be severely affected by activity or project due to their geographical proximity or sensitive nature. They include environmental elements, living species, archeological, cultural and religious sites, and community groups (such as endangered species, hospitals, elder care centers, schools, residential complexes, and others). Arabic: المستقبلات الحساسة (meaning “the sensitive receivers”) Permits reg. Art. 1
On this page
Which factors does NCEC consider?
NCEC classifies an activity by its expected environmental impact. It looks at:Permits reg. Art. 4(2)
- the type and size of the activity
- the energy used
- depletion of natural resources
- land uses
- sensitive receptors around the activity
- the impact itself: negative or positive, direct or indirect, cumulative, its degree, duration, reversibility and likelihood, and whether it is global, regional or local.
What do the three categories mean?
The factors place the activity in one of three categories:
| Category 1 | Low impact that does not exceed the boundary of the site |
|---|---|
| Category 2 | Moderate impact during the different stages, which can be mitigated and controlled and does not largely exceed the site boundary |
| Category 3 | Significant environmental, social and economic impact that may exceed the site and harm environmentally sensitive areas and receptors |
Table sourcePermits reg. Art. 4(4)
What are sensitive areas and receptors?
The regulation defines both terms:Permits reg. Art. 1
- Sensitive areas include protected areas, parks, forests, wetlands, important bird habitats, mangroves, watersheds, beaches, waterways and aquifers.
- Sensitive receptors include endangered species, archaeological, cultural and religious sites, hospitals, schools and residential areas.
A site in, or within 500 m of, these areas needs a detailed EIA.Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (6)
Can the category change?
Yes. The category is not fixed:
- You can ask NCEC to reclassify the activity with documented evidence of changes that reduce its impact.Permits reg. Art. 5(4)
- NCEC may change the category based on the submitted EIA.NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, controls section
- NCEC's CEO issues indicative lists that classify activity types.Permits reg. Art. 4(3)
Need your project classified?
Talk to our team
We complete the classification form and prepare the study for the category NCEC sets.
References
Each small number in this guide shows the article or section that point comes from. Hover over or tap a number to see it, or open the full list below.
Show all 7 references and the 2 regulation texts
- Permits reg. Art. 4(2)
- Permits reg. Art. 4(4)
- Permits reg. Art. 1
- Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (6)
- Permits reg. Art. 5(4)
- NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, controls section
- Permits reg. Art. 4(3)
How to read these references 2 texts cited
- Art. 7(4)(b) means Article 7, paragraph 4, item (b).
- First, Second and Third are the numbered parts some articles are divided into. The Arabic texts write them أولاً، ثانياً، ثالثاً (meaning first, second, third).
Every text we cite is listed on our regulations page.
Regulation texts this guide is written from
- Executive Regulations for Environmental Permits to Establish and Operate Activities
- NCEC guide LO-1-M-005-V01 for issuing and renewing environmental permits
This guide is general information written from the regulation texts listed above. It is not legal advice. Regulations change, and the official text always prevails. Spotted something out of date? Request a change.