Article 38 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
المادة 38 من نظام إدارة النفايات · الفصل الحادي عشر: أحكام ختامية
The article provides that the Waste Management Law takes effect after 60 days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعمل بالنظام بعد مضي (ستين) يومًا من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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 38 explained in plain English
This is the last article in the Law, and it sets the date it takes effect.
The rule: the Law takes effect after sixty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
This means the Law does not apply directly from the day of publication, but after a grace period of sixty days starting from the date of publication. This period gives facilities, service providers and waste producers time to prepare for its provisions.
The article is linked to Article 37, which provides that the Law replaces the Municipal Solid Waste Management Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/48 dated 17/9/1434 AH. The Law taking effect is what determines when it replaces the previous law.
The text does not include the date of publication itself, so to know the actual date it takes effect one must refer to the date the Law was published in the Official Gazette and add sixty days to it.
Anyone whose activity began before the Law took effect and who wants to know its effect on them should consult a lawyer specialized in administrative matters and environmental laws.
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
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Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
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Frequently asked questions about Article 38 of the Saudi Waste Management Law
When does the Waste Management Law take effect?
After sixty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
From what date is the sixty-day period counted?
From the date the Law is published in the Official Gazette.
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 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.
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.

