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A permit to establish is valid for 3 years. NCEC may extend it by 2 years for large projects that need long design and funding periods, and the request must be included in the EIA study. A permit to operate can run longer than 3 years if the facility meets NCEC's compliance conditions and submits an audit study.
Key terms used in this guide 9 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
- 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 compliance certificate (ECC)
- Document NCEC grants as proof that the permittee complies with the Law, the executive regulations and the requirements of the environmental permits. Arabic: شهادة الالتزام البيئي (meaning “environmental compliance certificate”) Audit reg. (1446H) 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 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
- 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
Can a permit to establish be extended?
Yes, for large-scale projects that need long design and funding periods. NCEC may extend the 3-year validity by 2 years, and the extension request must be included in the EIA study.Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (8)
NCEC's guide applies this to Category 2 and 3 permits.NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, section 9
What if the permit to establish expires before work starts?
Construction must start before the permit expires. Otherwise you apply for a new permit, with an updated EIA for Category 2 and 3, or a new classification form for Category 1. Fees already paid are not refunded.Permits reg. Art. 9(4) and (5)
Can a permit to operate run longer than 3 years?
Yes. NCEC's guide allows a longer period when the facility has met these conditions in the previous permit period:NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, section 10
- Pollutants did not exceed the environmental standards, apart from exemptions in the regulations.
- Machines, equipment and pollution control systems were maintained regularly.
- The environmental management and emergency plan was followed.
- The previous permit conditions were met, or the facility holds NCEC compliance certificates.
The request needs an application for the longer period and an environmental audit study.NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, section 10.1
We prepare the extension request or the audit study for a longer permit to operate.
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 5 references and the 2 regulation texts
- Permits reg. Art. 6, Second (8)
- NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, section 9
- Permits reg. Art. 9(4) and (5)
- NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, section 10
- NCEC guide LO-1-M-005, section 10.1
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.