Article 2 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
المادة 2 من نظام إدارة النفايات · الفصل الثاني: أحكام عامة
The article shows that the Waste Management Law aims to regulate the activities of collecting, transporting, sorting, storing, importing, exporting, treating and safely disposing of waste, including aftercare of disposal sites.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يهدف النظام إلى تنظيم أنشطة جمع النفايات ونقلها وفرزها وتخزينها واستيرادها وتصديرها ومعالجتها والتخلص الآمن منها، بما في ذلك العناية اللاحقة بمواقع التخلص من النفايات.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article sets out the aim of the Law, which is to regulate activities relating to waste at all its stages, which according to the text are:
- Collection, which under Article 1 is collecting waste from designated containers by trucks and vehicles.
- Transport to transfer stations or treatment or sorting facilities or approved landfills.
- Sorting, that is, separating components of waste such as paper, glass and metals for the purpose of recycling or treating them.
- Temporary storage.
- Import and export.
- Treatment.
- Safe disposal.
- Aftercare of waste disposal sites, so that regulation does not end when waste is buried or disposed of, but extends beyond it.
This aim roughly matches the definition of "waste management" in Article 1, which also includes recycling. This means the Law covers the "life cycle" of waste from the moment it is discarded until its final disposal and the care of its site.
This article creates no direct obligation, but it helps to understand the scope of the Law. What falls outside its scope is set out in Article 3, since its provisions do not apply to radioactive and nuclear waste and military waste.
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 2 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
What is the aim of the Waste Management Law?
To regulate the activities of collecting, transporting, sorting, storing, importing, exporting, treating and safely disposing of waste, including aftercare of disposal sites.
Does the Law cover what comes after waste disposal?
Yes. Its aim includes aftercare of waste disposal sites.
More articles on Definitions and Scope of the Waste Management Law
- Article 1
The article defines the terms of the Waste Management Law, such as waste, hazardous waste, waste producer, service provider, license, permit, recycling, safe disposal and extended producer responsibility.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق غير ذلك: النظام: نظام إدارة النفايات. اللائحة: اللائح
- Article 3
The article excludes radioactive and nuclear waste and military waste from the application of the provisions of the Waste Management Law.
لا تطبق أحكام النظام على النفايات المشعة والنووية والنفايات العسكرية.
- Article 36
The article requires the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture to issue the Implementing Regulations in coordination with the Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Health within 60 days of the Law's publication.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة بالتنسيق مع وزير الشؤون البلدية والقروية والإسكان ووزير الصحة، خلال (ستين) يوماً من تاريخ نشر النظام في الجريدة الرسمية.
- Article 37
The article provides that the Waste Management Law replaces the Municipal Solid Waste Management Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/48 dated 17/9/1434 AH.
يحل هذا النظام محل نظام إدارة النفايات البلدية الصلبة، الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي رقم (م / 48) وتاريخ 17 / 9 / 1434هـ.
- Article 38
The article provides that the Waste Management Law takes effect after 60 days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بالنظام بعد مضي (ستين) يومًا من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.