Article 19 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
المادة 19 من نظام المتفجرات والمفرقعات · الفصل الثالث: العقوبات
The article punishes a permit holder in the explosives field with a fine of up to SAR 50,000 for continuing his activity after the permit expires without applying for renewal within 3 months, or for breaching the guarding conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب المصرح له بصناعة المتفجرات ، أو استيرادها، أو تصديرها، أو استعمالها، أو تداولها؛ بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز خمسين ألف ريال في الحالات الآتية:
أ - إذا انتهت مدة التصريح الممنوح له، واستمر في مزاولة نشاطه، ولم يتقدم بطلب تجديد تصريحه خلال ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ انتهائه.
ب - إذا خالف أيا من الشروط أو المواصفات الواجب توافرها في الحراس أو الأفراد المكلفين بحراسة المتفجرات ، أو استعان بحراس أو أفراد دون تصريح من الوزارة .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 19 explained in plain English
This article addresses permit holders for manufacturing, importing, exporting, using or trading in explosives, and punishes them with a fine of up to SAR 50,000 in two cases:
First case (paragraph a): failing to renew the permit
It arises when three things come together:
- The term of his permit has expired.
- He continues to carry on his activity.
- He does not apply to renew his permit within 3 months of its expiry.
The text ties the violation to these elements taken together.
Second case (paragraph b): guarding violations
- Breaching any of the conditions or specifications that must be met by the guards or individuals assigned to guard explosives.
- Or using guards or individuals without the Ministry's permission.
Paragraph (b) corresponds to Article 8, which bars using individuals or guards from private security companies to guard explosives without the Ministry's permission, and to Article 10, which leaves to the Implementing Regulations the conditions for guarding explosives and who may do so.
This fine is lighter than the one in Article 18, which is up to SAR 100,000 for breaching the permit, transport or storage conditions and other violations. Article 20 follows it, allowing the Minister to suspend or cancel permits where the conditions for warehouses or means of transport are breached.
Anyone whose permit has expired or who is fined under this article may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
The permit of a mining company in Najran to use explosives expires. It keeps operating and applies for renewal only four months after expiry. The elements of paragraph (a) are met in its case, so it faces a fine of up to SAR 50,000.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 19 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law
What is the penalty for not renewing an explosives permit?
A fine of up to SAR 50,000 if the permit has expired, the holder continues his activity, and he does not apply for renewal within 3 months of expiry.
What is the penalty for using guards for explosives without a permit?
A fine of up to SAR 50,000.
More articles on Violations by Explosives Permit Holders
- Article 18
The article punishes a permit holder in the explosives field with a fine of up to SAR 100,000 for breaching the permit, transport or storage conditions or committing one of the other listed violations.
يعاقب المصرح له بصناعة المتفجرات ، أو استيرادها، أو تصديرها، أو استعمالها، أو تداولها؛ بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز مائة ألف ريال، إذا قام بأي من الأفعال الآتية: أ -
- Article 20
The article allows the Minister of Interior to suspend all explosives-activity permits for up to 60 days where the conditions for warehouses or means of transport are breached, and to cancel them if the violation is repeated.
للوزير إيقاف جميع التصاريح المتعلقة بنشاط المتفجرات لمدة لا تزيد على ستين يوما إذا لم يلتزم أصحابها بشروط مستودعات تخزين المتفجرات ، ومواصفاتها، أو الوسائط التي
- Article 23
The article punishes a blasting technician who is negligent, makes a technical error or breaches his permit conditions with a warning, a fine of up to SAR 20,000, a ban on blasting within cities or suspension, without prejudice to the injured party's right to compensation.
مع عدم الإخلال بحق من لحقه ضرر بالتعويض يعاقب فني التفجير - متى ثبت إهماله أو ارتكابه خطأ فنيا في التشغيل أو خالف أيا من شروط التصريح الممنوح له - بإحدى العقوبا
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.