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Under NCEC rules, you need a permit to establish before modifying any activity, and a new permit to operate before changing the type or size of the activity. NCEC may suspend a permit if major changes are made without approval. In Royal Commission areas, a 10% rise in production or emissions, or a new pollutant, needs a new or amended EPO.
Key terms used in this guide 5 terms
- Environmental permit to establish
- Document issued by the Center to a person granting him the permission to initiate the establishment of an activity following the completion of its classification and environmental impact assessment, and the prescription of environmental requirements and conditions to comply with during establishment. Arabic: التصريح البيئي للإنشاء (meaning “the environmental permit for construction (establishment)”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Environmental permit to operate
- A document issued by the Center to a person granting him the permission to operate the activity. Arabic: التصريح البيئي للتشغيل (meaning “the environmental permit for operation”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Expansion
- Any action that increases the size of the activity, such as adding a production line (translated from the Arabic guide). Arabic: توسعة (meaning “expansion (widening)”) Permit guide, definitions
- Major change
- Any expansion or change in the design, operation, or nature of any existing activity, which is likely to induce a negative impact on the environment. The Arabic text of the permits regulation is not among the sources, so no Arabic term is given. Permits reg. Art. 1
- Modification of an activity
- Any action that modifies the designs of the activity without changing the type of activity (translated from the Arabic guide). Arabic: تعديل نشاط (meaning “modification of an activity”) Permit guide, definitions
On this page
What counts as a major change?
A major change is any expansion or change in the design, operation or nature of an existing activity that is likely to have a negative impact on the environment.Permits reg. Art. 1
What does NCEC require?
Under the NCEC permits regulation:
- A permit to establish before establishing or modifying any activity.Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (1)
- A new permit to operate before changing the type or size of the activity.Permits reg. Art. 6, Third (2)
- NCEC may suspend the permits if major changes are made after they are issued, until the necessary adjustments are made.Permits reg. Art. 9(6)
What does the Royal Commission require?
A modified facility needs a new or amended EPO if:RCER-2025 Volume I, clause 1.3.7
- production increases by 10% or more above the approved value
- emissions or discharges increase by 10% or more
- new pollutants are emitted or discharged.
The application for a modified facility is due 60 days before the planned start-up.RCER-2025 Volume I, reporting schedule
We check whether the change needs a new permit and prepare the application.
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 6 references and the 2 regulation texts
- Permits reg. Art. 1
- Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (1)
- Permits reg. Art. 6, Third (2)
- Permits reg. Art. 9(6)
- RCER-2025 Volume I, clause 1.3.7
- RCER-2025 Volume I, reporting schedule
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
- Royal Commission Environmental Regulations 2025, Volume I
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.