Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [no number] of 1999
- Issued Date: 17 Oct 1999
- Effective Date: 31 Jan 2000
- Official Gazette: No. 340
- Sector: Environment and Natural Resources
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 211
- Chapters: 14
- Amendments: 1
Summary
The Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment regulates environmental protection and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the Federal Environmental Agency and outlines its responsibilities, defines key environmental terms, and sets requirements for managing pollution, natural resources, and hazardous materials. The law aims to preserve the natural balance of the environment, prevent and control pollution, and promote sustainable development in the UAE. It is a comprehensive piece of legislation that impacts businesses, individuals, and government authorities across various sectors. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1-2)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law has a broad scope, applying to the entire environment of the United Arab Emirates, including the natural elements (living creatures, natural resources, and natural systems) and the unnatural elements (fixed and movable installations, infrastructure, and human-made technologies). It regulates various aspects of environmental protection and development, such as the impact of establishments, sustainable development, environmental monitoring, emergency plans, water protection, soil protection, air pollution, hazardous substances and wastes, natural reserves, and liability for environmental damages. The main purpose of the law is to protect and conserve the quality and natural balance of the environment, control all forms of pollution, and coordinate environmental efforts among the Federal Environmental Agency, local authorities, and other concerned parties. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1-2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- Environment: The biosphere consisting of natural elements (living creatures, natural resources, and natural systems) and unnatural elements (fixed and movable installations, infrastructure, and human-made technologies). (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1)
- Marine Environment: The marine waters, their contents, and the above atmosphere, as well as fixed and movable installations and projects established in the marine environment, extending to the economic zone of the UAE. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1)
- Water Environment: Natural resources, plants, fish, and other living organisms, as well as the above atmosphere, fixed and movable installations, and projects established on such waters. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1)
- Environmental Degradation: The effects that diminish the value, deform the nature, deplete the resources, or harm living creatures or archaeological sites of the environment. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1)
- Environmental Pollution: Pollution resulting naturally or unnaturally from the introduction of materials or polluting factors into the natural elements of the environment, causing danger to human health, botanical or animal life, or harm to resources and ecosystems. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes several key obligations and requirements:
- Establishments must conduct environmental impact assessments for their activities and operations. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 3-8)
- The government must develop policies and regulations to fulfill the social, cultural, and economic needs of sustainable development while preserving natural resources and biodiversity. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 9-11)
- The government must establish environmental monitoring networks to collect data on environmental components and pollutants. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 13-14)
- Parties must develop emergency plans to combat environmental disasters. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 15-16)
- Parties must comply with requirements for protecting the marine environment, drinking and underground water, soil, and air from pollution. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 17-57)
- Parties must handle hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, and medical wastes according to the law's provisions. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 58-62)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements. It focuses on outlining the general obligations and responsibilities related to environmental protection and development.
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly mention any specific rights or protections granted to individuals, workers, businesses, or other parties. It is primarily focused on establishing the regulatory framework for environmental management and enforcement.
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The law establishes the Federal Environmental Agency as the main authority responsible for environmental affairs in the UAE. The Agency's Board of Directors is tasked with overseeing its operations. The law also recognizes the role of local authorities in each emirate as "Competent Authorities" responsible for environmental matters within their respective jurisdictions. The law requires coordination between the Federal Environmental Agency and these local authorities. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 1, 69-70)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance:
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding AED 20,000 for violations related to environmental impact assessments, emergency plans, and water/soil/air pollution. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 73-78)
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and/or a fine not exceeding AED 50,000 for violations related to hazardous substances and wastes, natural reserves, and environmental disasters. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 79-84)
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and/or a fine not exceeding AED 100,000 for violations related to the marine environment. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Art. 85-90)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not mention any exemptions or exceptions to its scope or requirements.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not outline any specific dispute resolution mechanisms. It focuses on establishing the regulatory framework and enforcement provisions rather than detailing dispute resolution procedures.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not specify any deadlines or time limits for compliance with its provisions.
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references several other UAE federal laws, including those related to the jurisdiction of ministers, civil defense, agricultural interdiction, labor relationships, water resources management, maritime commercial law, hunting, civil transactions, penal code, penal procedures, fertilizers, agricultural pesticides, and the establishment of the Federal Environmental Agency. However, the law does not explicitly state how it interacts with or amends these other pieces of legislation. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
The Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment was issued on 17 October 1999 and came into effect on 31 January 2000, as published in the Official Gazette No. 340. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment, 1999, Preamble)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.