Saudi Arabia

Legal Framework
Country: 
Saudi Arabia
EIA Law: 
General Environmental Law, 2001
EIA Regulations: 
General Environmental Rules for Implementation
Regulations Link: 
Link
EIA Guidelines or Other Guidance: 
Environmental Protection Standards - Appendix 1 to General Environmental Rules
Guidance Link: 
Link
EIA Procedure
Projects Requiring EIA: 
Government projects
Private Projects
Abridged Assessments: 
Yes
Assessment Detail: 
First and second category projects do not require preparation of a full EIA. This entails submission of an initial environmental assessment form, at a minimum, and possible preparation of simple environmental reports. Appendix No. 1.3
Best Practices in Lieu of EIA: 
No
Who Conducts Screening: 
Government
Who Conducts Screening Detail: 
The licensing agency shall classify the project for which a license is being sought in accordance with the industrial and development project classification guide (Appendix No. 2.1) issued by the Competent Agency. Appendix No. 1.1
Criteria for Screening: 
List or appendix of project or activity types
Proposed project or activity may cause significant environmental impact
Criteria for Screening Detail: 
There are guidelines for classifying proposed projects into one of three categories. The guidelines include lists of projects that are anticipated to have "limited" (Category 1), "significant" (Category 2), or "serious" (Category 3) impacts. See Appendix 2 "Guidelines For Classification of Industrial And Development Projects"
Who Prepares EIA: 
Government (with or without contractor)
Who Prepares EIA Detail: 
"The agency in charge of implementation of the project shall be responsible for conducting the EIA studies in accordance with the environmental fundamentals and standards specified by the Competent Agency in the Rules for Implementation. General Envtl Law, Art. 5
EIA Contractor Qualifications: 
Yes
EIA Contractor Qualification Detail: 
EIAs must be prepared by a qualified consulting office or research center. Appendix 1.3. There appears to be a general accreditation process for professionals providing environmental services, including preparation of EIA documents. See Appendix 3
Conflict of Interest: 
No
Terms of Reference: 
No
Days for Decision Maker Review: 
Not specified
Written Decision: 
Yes
Written Decision Detail: 
"The agency in-charge of implementing the project shall issue necessary notification which shall include the Competent Agency approval statement on the EIA of the project." Appendix 1.5
Authority to Impose Conditions: 
Yes
Authority to Impose Conditions Details: 
"The owner of the project shall give consent that he will implement all the required conditions attached, and be obliged when implementing the project with all environmental standards, criteria, and procedures issued by the Competent Agency." Appendix 1.5
Expiry of Decision: 
Indefinite
Financial Assurances or Bond: 
No
EIA Content
Interdisciplinary Team: 
No
Range of Alternatives: 
Yes
Range of Alternatives Detail: 
See Appendix 2, No. 2.4 (describing content of EIA)
No Action Alternative: 
No
No Action Alternative Detail: 
See Appendix 2, No. 2.4 (describing content of EIA)
Type(s) of Impact Analysis: 
Direct environmental impacts
Other
Mitigation: 
Yes
Mitigation Detail: 
"Summary of The Significant Impacts After Mitigation Processes" is required as part of the EIA. Appendix 2.4, No. 6
Monitoring Plans: 
No
Access to Information
Draft EIA Available: 
No
Public Notice of Final EIA: 
No
Final EIA Available: 
No
Final EIA Locations: 
Not Available
Availability of Reference Studies: 
No
Public Notice of Final Decision: 
No
Public Participation
Public Scoping: 
No
Public Review of TOR: 
No
Public Meetings: 
No
Public Comments on Final EIA: 
No
Response to Public Comments: 
No
Facilitation of Public Participation: 
No
Judicial Review/Enforcement
Project Monitoring: 
No
Enforceability of EIA: 
No
Enforceability of Permit: 
No
Modified: October 25th, 2019