Article 21 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
المادة 21 من نظام إدارة النفايات · الفصل السابع: التعامل مع الحالات الطارئة
The article requires a service provider, in emergency incidents or serious errors causing a disruption in waste management, to notify the Center and submit a report on the causes, measures and effects.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على مقدم الخدمة في حالة الحوادث الطارئة أو الأخطاء الجسيمة التي تُسبب خللاً في سير العمل عند إدارة النفايات؛ أن يشعر المركز بذلك، وأن يقدم تقريراً يبين فيه أسباب الحادث والتدابير التي اتخذها للسيطرة عليه، وما ترتب على ذلك من آثار، وذلك وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة.
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 21 explained in plain English
This article places a duty to report on the service provider, who is the licensee or permit holder carrying on one of the waste management activities.
When does the duty arise? In the case of:
- Emergency incidents, or
- Serious errors,
that cause a disruption in the course of work when managing waste. Minor errors that cause no disruption are not covered by the text.
What is required?
- Notifying the Center of the incident or error.
- Submitting a report showing:
- The causes of the incident.
- The measures taken to control it.
- The resulting effects.
The Implementing Regulations set the details of this, such as the period and the method, and the article does not state them.
The article is linked to Article 20, which allows the Minister or his delegate to activate the emergency plan in cases of necessity or exceptional circumstances, and to suspend an activity for no more than thirty days where a violation is detected that requires urgent action to avert a disaster. The service provider's reporting enables the Center to know about the incident and deal with it.
Article 22 deals with the financial consideration set by the Center's board.
Anyone with a practical case relating to this provision should consult a lawyer specialized in environmental and administrative laws.
Practical example
The control systems of a waste incinerator belonging to a licensed company in Riyadh failed, and it stopped receiving waste for two days. Under this article, the company must notify the Center of the incident and submit a report showing the cause of the failure, the measures it took to control it and the resulting effects, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
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 21 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
What should a waste company do when an emergency incident occurs?
It notifies the Center and submits a report showing the causes of the incident, the measures taken to control it and the resulting effects, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
Must every error be reported?
The duty relates to emergency incidents or serious errors that cause a disruption in the course of work when managing waste.
More articles on Emergencies and Suspension of Waste Activity
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.