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Facilities in Royal Commission industrial cities need an Environmental Permit to Construct (EPC) and an Environmental Permit to Operate (EPO). The Royal Commission sets the facility category from the Environmental Screening Questionnaire. The EPO is valid for 5 years, and the renewal form is due 6 months before it expires.
Key terms used in this guide 9 terms
- Environmental Permit to Construct (EPC)
- The Royal Commission permit an operator must obtain before starting any construction activity related to the process of a new facility. An existing facility also needs an EPC, decided case by case, for reconstruction, modification or expansion. RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, page 5
- Environmental Permit to Operate (EPO)
- The Royal Commission permit without which a facility may not operate or carry out process commissioning. It is valid for five years from the date of issue. RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.3.1 and 1.3.6, pages 5 and 6
- Environmental Screening Questionnaire (ESQ)
- The questionnaire every facility submits as part of the RC Industrial Site Allocation Request. RC reviews it to determine the category of the facility. RCER-2025 Vol. II, 1.3, page 3
- First Category facility
- A facility with negligible or no impact on public health or the environment during construction or operation. Typically support industries and commercial establishments. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page xii
- Fugitive emission
- Any gaseous or particulate contaminant entering the atmosphere that could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent or other functionally equivalent opening designed to direct or control its flow. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page ix
- Permit Application Package (PAP)
- The package of application forms facilities submit, with the ESQ, to obtain the EPC and EPO. Unless RC says otherwise, everything submitted in it is a condition of the EPO. RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.1.7 and 1.3.4, pages 2 and 6
- Point source
- An individual air emission or pollutant source originating from a specific location. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page x
- Second Category facility
- A facility with potential for moderate impacts on public health or the environment during construction or operation. Typically secondary industries and some larger support industries. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page xii
- Third Category facility
- A facility with significant potential for environmental harm, including permanent or irreversible damage to public health or the environment, during construction or operation. Typically primary industries and some larger secondary industries. RCER-2025 Vol. I, Glossary, page xii
On this page
How does the Royal Commission categorise facilities?
Facilities are First, Second or Third Category, based on size, activities, raw materials, products, emissions, water use, wastewater, waste and noise. The Royal Commission sets the category after reviewing the Environmental Screening Questionnaire.RCER-2025 Volume II, sections 1.2 and 1.3
The category decides the study:
- Second and Third Category facilities prepare an EIA report.RCER-2025 Volume II, section 1.3.1
- First Category facilities prepare an environmental management plan.RCER-2025 Volume II, section 1.3.1
Which permit application forms are needed?
The Permit Application Package uses form PA-G1 for every facility, plus the forms that match the facility:RCER-2025 Volume II, figure 2
| PA-G1 | General permit application for industrial facilities |
|---|---|
| PA-A1 to A6 | Air: boilers and furnaces, burning hazardous materials or non-fossil fuels, incinerators, flares, other point sources, fugitive emissions |
| PA-W1 to W9 | Water: sanitary and industrial wastewater, discharges to the Red Sea, cooling water and brine, cooling towers, storm water, ballast water, groundwater monitoring wells |
| PA-H1 to H3 | Hazardous materials storage, waste management, transport of wastes and hazardous substances |
| PA-M1 to M4 | Loading and unloading, dredging, noise sources, exemptions |
| PA-R1 | EPO renewal |
Table sourceRCER-2025 Volume II, section 2.2
How long is the EPO valid?
The EPO is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. The key dates are:RCER-2025 Volume I, clause 1.3.6
- New facility: the permit application package is due 6 months before construction starts.RCER-2025 Volume I, reporting schedule
- Renewal: the EPO renewal form is due 6 months before expiry, with the permit application package if requested.RCER-2025 Volume I, clause 1.3.6
- Late renewal: late submission attracts a fine under Volume III.RCER-2025 Volume I, clause 1.3.6
What are the Royal Commission fees?
Fees depend on the facility category and are in riyals:
| Third Category (primary industry) | EPC 50,000, EPO first issue 100,000, EPO renewal every 5 years 50,000 riyals |
|---|---|
| Second Category (secondary industry) | EPC 25,000, EPO first issue 50,000, renewal 25,000 riyals |
| First Category (light and support industry) | EPC no fee, EPO first issue 20,000, renewal 15,000 riyals |
Table sourceRCER-2025 Volume III, table 5.1
We prepare the screening questionnaire, the permit application package and the study.
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
- RCER-2025 Volume II, sections 1.2 and 1.3
- RCER-2025 Volume II, section 1.3.1
- RCER-2025 Volume II, figure 2
- RCER-2025 Volume II, section 2.2
- RCER-2025 Volume I, clause 1.3.6
- RCER-2025 Volume I, reporting schedule
- RCER-2025 Volume III, table 5.1
How to read these references 3 texts cited
- RCER-2025 Volume II
- Royal Commission Environmental Regulations 2025, Volume II, Environmental Permits and Licenses Program
- RCER-2025 Vol. I, 1.3.6, page 6 means Volume I, clause 1.3.6, on printed page 6. All three volumes define a day as a working day.
The three RCER-2025 volumes are listed in the Royal Commission library.
Regulation texts this guide is written from
- Royal Commission Environmental Regulations 2025, Volumes I, II and III
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.