Article 14 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
المادة 14 من نظام إدارة النفايات · الفصل الثالث: مسؤولية منتج النفاية
The article obliges every producer and importer to bear extended producer responsibility, to achieve financial sustainability of the waste sector on the principle of the circular economy, with procedures set by the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل منتج ومستورد، تحمل مسؤولية المنتج الممتدة، تحقيقاً للاستدامة المالية بقطاع إدارة النفايات المبنية على مبدأ الاقتصاد الدائري. وتحدد اللائحة الإجراءات والضوابط والاشتراطات اللازمة لذلك.
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 14 explained in plain English
This article places an obligation on every producer and importer: to bear extended producer responsibility.
Under Article 1, "extended producer responsibility" means that the producer and the importer of products that are imported, manufactured locally or derived from another material, intended for sale or consumption, bear the legal and financial responsibility for managing, treating and safely disposing of the residues and waste during their life cycle.
In practice, this means that the responsibility of the producer or importer does not end when the good is sold, but extends beyond its consumption, when it turns into waste or leaves residues.
The purpose according to the text: to achieve financial sustainability in the waste management sector based on the principle of the circular economy, meaning that materials stay in the cycle of use as far as possible, and that whoever places products on the market contributes to the cost of managing their waste.
The article does not specify how this responsibility is carried out, for example through fees or take-back programs or otherwise, but refers the procedures, controls and requirements to the Implementing Regulations.
Article 13 deals with marine vessel and port waste, and Article 15 makes the Center the regulator of contracting between the competent authority and waste management service providers.
Anyone who works in manufacturing or importing and wants to know his obligations is best advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases and environmental laws.
Practical example
A company in Dammam imports electronic devices and sells them on the local market. Under this article, the company bears extended producer responsibility, that is, the legal and financial responsibility for managing the waste of these devices, treating it and disposing of it safely during their life cycle, according to the procedures and requirements set by the Implementing Regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
What is extended producer responsibility?
It is the producer and the importer bearing the legal and financial responsibility for managing the residues and waste of their products, treating them and disposing of them safely during their life cycle.
Does the importer bear responsibility for the waste of what he imports?
Yes. The article obliges every producer and importer to bear extended producer responsibility.
How is extended producer responsibility applied?
The Implementing Regulations set the procedures, controls and requirements needed for this.
More articles on Obligations of the Waste Producer
- Article 11
The article obliges the waste producer to rationalize resources, reuse products, reduce waste, store it in designated places, and sort what is recyclable, as set by the Implementing Regulations.
على مُنتج النفاية التقيد بالتدابير الآتية: 1- ترشيد استخدام المواد والموارد الطبيعية. 2- إعادة استخدام المنتجات. 3- تقليل النفايات. 4- تخزين النفايات في الأماكن
- Article 12
The article obliges residential and commercial complexes and government administrative bodies, subject to the measures in Article 11, to contract with a licensed service provider, as set by the Implementing Regulations.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في المادة (الحادية عشرة) من النظام، على المجمعات السكنية والتجارية والجهات الإدارية الحكومية؛ التعاقد مع مقدم خدمة مرخص له، وذلك وفقًا لما تحدد
- Article 18
The article obliges the transport service provider, if waste cannot be delivered to its approved destination, to return it to its producer, who bears responsibility for treating and disposing of it under the Implementing Regulations.
على مقدم خدمة النقل -في حال عدم إمكان إيصال النفايات بمختلف أنواعها إلى وجهتها المعتمدة- إرجاعها إلى منتج النفاية ليتحمل مسؤولية اتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة لمعالجت
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.