Article 3 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
المادة 3 من نظام إدارة النفايات · الفصل الثاني: أحكام عامة
The article excludes radioactive and nuclear waste and military waste from the application of the provisions of the Waste Management Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تطبق أحكام النظام على النفايات المشعة والنووية والنفايات العسكرية.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article sets out what falls outside the scope of the Law. Its provisions do not apply to three types of waste:
- Radioactive waste.
- Nuclear waste.
- Military waste.
This means that the obligations the Law imposes, such as the requirement for a license or permit, and the penalties it contains, do not apply to these types. The article does not say which law governs them; it merely excludes them from this Law.
All other waste falls within the scope of the Law if the definition of "waste" in Article 1 applies to it, which is all materials that are discarded or disposed of and that affect, directly or indirectly, public health or the environment. This includes hazardous waste classified under the Law and the Implementing Regulations, marine vessel waste, and others.
This article is linked to Article 2, which sets out the aim of the Law of regulating the activities of collecting, transporting, sorting, storing, importing, exporting, treating and safely disposing of waste. It is also linked to Article 4, which requires a license or permit from the Center to carry out any activity relating to waste management, and this requirement does not extend to the types excluded here.
If you have a practical case relating to this provision, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in environmental and administrative laws.
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 3 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
Does the Waste Management Law apply to nuclear waste?
No. The article provides that the provisions of the Law do not apply to radioactive and nuclear waste and military waste.
Are medical or industrial wastes excluded from the Law?
The article excludes only radioactive, nuclear and military waste; other waste falls within the Law whenever the definition of waste applies to it.
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 2
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.
يهدف النظام إلى تنظيم أنشطة جمع النفايات ونقلها وفرزها وتخزينها واستيرادها وتصديرها ومعالجتها والتخلص الآمن منها، بما في ذلك العناية اللاحقة بمواقع التخلص من ال
- 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.