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NCEC's fee ceilings are 500 riyals for the classification form, 1,000 for a Category 1 EMP, 10,000 for a Category 2 EIA, and 13,000 to 275,000 for a Category 3 EIA depending on the project's capital cost. NCEC sets the actual amounts in its fee charter within these ceilings.
Key terms used in this guide 13 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
- Environmental audit study
- The study that Category 2 and 3 activities, and any activity NCEC names in a reasoned decision, submit with the renewal of the permit to operate. It is prepared by an NCEC licensed provider using the structure in Appendix 1 of the Audit regulation. The 1446H regulation no longer defines the term. Arabic: دراسة التدقيق البيئي (meaning “environmental audit study”) Audit reg. (1446H) Art. 5 and Appendix 1
- Environmental classification form
- A form submitted to the Center used to determine the category of the suggested activity in terms of environmental impact. Arabic: استمارة التصنيف البيئي (meaning “the environmental classification form”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- Environmental degradation
- Severe damage to the environment caused by the depletion of natural resources, the destruction of natural habitats, the extinction of wildlife species, or the pollution of environmental media and the deterioration of air, water and soil quality. Arabic: التدهور البيئي (meaning “environmental deterioration”) Permits reg. Art. 1
- 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
- Environmental management plan (EMP)
- Measures taken by the person to ensure and sustain environmental compliance. It is submitted as part of the procedures to obtain the environmental permit. Arabic: خطة الإدارة البيئية (meaning “the environmental management plan”) 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
- Environmental rehabilitation
- Any procedure conducted on an environmentally degraded site or one that is affected by environmental damage or pollution, to restore its natural state of environmental balance, in accordance with the standards set by the competent authority. Arabic: إعادة التأهيل البيئي (meaning “environmental re-qualification (restoring to a fit state)”) Rehab reg. Art. 1
- Financial dues
- An amount of money collected by the competent center from a person for the purpose of issuing or renewing licenses or permits or for providing environmental services. Arabic: المقابل المالي (meaning “the financial consideration”) Fees reg. Art. 1
- Rehabilitation plan
- Plan that must be submitted to NCEC for certain Category 1 activities designated at classification, as part of a Category 2 or 3 EIA, whenever an incident requires rehabilitation of the damaged site, or on NCEC request after inspections or audits. Arabic: خطة إعادة التأهيل البيئي للمواقع المتدهورة (meaning “plan for the environmental rehabilitation of degraded sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)
- Self plan (emergency preparedness and response)
- Measures to manage an activity's or facility's internal environmental emergencies. They cover preparedness for the environmental risks that threaten it and the steps after an emergency or disaster, including rehabilitation of the affected areas. Arabic: الخطط الذاتية (meaning “the self plans (own plans)”) Emergency reg. Art. 1
On this page
Who sets the fees?
NCEC sets the fees for permits, licences and services in its financial dues charter. The charter cannot exceed the ceilings in Appendix 1 of the financial dues regulation.Fees reg. Art. 3(1)
What are the ceilings for studies?
These are the maximum review fees in the regulation. Category 3 fees depend on the project's capital cost in riyals.
| Classification form review | 500 riyals per form |
|---|---|
| Category 1 environmental management plan | 1,000 riyals per plan |
| Category 2 EIA study | 10,000 riyals per study |
| Category 3 EIA, capital cost under 10 million | 13,000 riyals |
| Category 3 EIA, 10 to under 25 million | 27,500 riyals |
| Category 3 EIA, 25 to under 50 million | 45,000 riyals |
| Category 3 EIA, 50 to under 100 million | 75,000 riyals |
| Category 3 EIA, 100 to under 250 million | 137,500 riyals |
| Category 3 EIA, over 250 million | 275,000 riyals |
| Rehabilitation plan, limited, medium or significant degradation | 2,000, 6,000 or 12,000 riyals |
| Emergency preparedness and response plan | 2,000 riyals per plan |
| Environmental audit study | No fee |
Table sourceFees reg. Appendix 1, items 1 to 7
How is the annual permit to operate fee calculated?
NCEC calculates it every year as the environmental impact coefficient of the activity type, multiplied by the size of the activity, multiplied by the activity's compliance coefficient.Fees reg. Art. 4(5)
Points to note:
- The compliance coefficient ranges from 0.8 for high compliance to 1.2 for low compliance.Fees reg. Art. 4(4)
- The fee is collected in the first quarter of each calendar year.Fees reg. Art. 4(6)
- The permit cannot be renewed until the fee is fully paid.Fees reg. Art. 4(7)
- The Ministry and NCEC may exempt an activity in part or in full with the Minister's approval.Fees reg. Art. 4(8)
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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 1 regulation texts
- Fees reg. Art. 3(1)
- Fees reg. Appendix 1, items 1 to 7
- Fees reg. Art. 4(5)
- Fees reg. Art. 4(4)
- Fees reg. Art. 4(6)
- Fees reg. Art. 4(7)
- Fees reg. Art. 4(8)
How to read these references 1 text cited
- Art. 7(4)(b) means Article 7, paragraph 4, item (b).
Every text we cite is listed on our regulations page.
Regulation texts this guide is written from
- Executive Regulation for Controls and Procedures Pertaining to Financial Dues for Environmental Licenses, Permits and Services
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.