Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law on Integrated Waste Management
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [12] of 2018
- Issued Date: 18 Dec 2018
- Effective Date: 31 Mar 2019
- Official Gazette: No. 644
- Sector: Environment and Natural Resources
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 70
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
The Federal Law on Integrated Waste Management regulates the management of various types of waste in the United Arab Emirates, including municipal solid waste, sewage, hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, marine waste, and oil waste. The law aims to protect the environment and human health by establishing a comprehensive framework for proper waste segregation, collection, transportation, storage, reuse, recycling, treatment, and disposal. It assigns responsibilities to the federal and local competent authorities, as well as to waste producers, suppliers, and entities. The law also prohibits certain types of waste-producing materials, mandates waste reuse and recycling, and specifies requirements for waste depository sites and transportation. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1-3)
This law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE as it imposes new obligations and requirements related to waste management. Companies and entities must properly manage the waste they generate, while individuals are prohibited from littering or improperly disposing of waste. The law aims to promote sustainable waste practices and reduce the environmental impact of waste in the country. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1-3)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Federal Law on Integrated Waste Management applies to all waste generated within the UAE, including in free zones, but excludes nuclear and radioactive waste. The law aims to regulate waste management operations and unify the mechanisms and methods of proper waste disposal through the application of best available practices and technologies, in order to protect the environment and reduce harm to human health. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
- Waste: All types of hazardous and non-hazardous residues or debris which are disposed or required to be disposed, including solid municipal waste, sewage waste, hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, industrial waste, organic waste, marine waste, and oil waste. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1)
- Hazardous Materials: Solid, liquid, or gas materials with properties harmful to human health or that adversely affect the environment, such as toxic, explosive, or flammable materials. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1)
- Waste Management: The segregation, collection, transportation, storage, reuse, recycling, treatment, and disposal of waste, including post-disposal attention. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1)
- Waste Producer: Any entity whose activity results in the generation of waste. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes several key obligations and requirements:
- Waste producers and suppliers are responsible for accepting returned products and remaining waste after use, as well as the associated financial costs. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 5)
- The Ministry may prohibit the issuance, import, or use of certain waste-producing materials that cause environmental damage or are difficult to dispose of properly. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 6)
- The Ministry may oblige entities to reuse certain types of waste generated on-site or treat certain waste types separately before disposal. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 7)
- It is prohibited to litter, bury, burn, or dispose of waste in unauthorized areas; waste must be disposed of at licensed waste depository sites. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 8)
- Entities must properly manage their industrial waste through reuse, recycling, or proper disposal, following procedures specified by the competent authority. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 15)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals or entities. It focuses on the responsibilities and obligations of waste producers, suppliers, and competent authorities in managing waste. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly grant any specific rights or protections to individuals or entities. It is focused on establishing a framework for integrated waste management to protect the environment and human health. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcement and implementation of this law are:
- The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which is responsible for coordinating with competent authorities, issuing prohibitions on certain waste-producing materials, and overseeing waste management practices. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 4, 6-7, 19-20)
- The competent authority in each emirate, which is responsible for providing waste management services, developing waste management plans and programs, and managing specific waste streams such as hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, and agricultural waste. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 4, 13-16)
- Relevant authorities licensed by the competent authorities to manage waste facilities and operations. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 1, 4)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. It focuses on the responsibilities and obligations of waste producers, suppliers, and competent authorities, but does not outline enforcement mechanisms or sanctions. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law states that waste producers and suppliers are responsible for the financial costs associated with accepting returned products and remaining waste after use, as determined by the Executive Regulation. However, the law does not provide any further details on specific fees, charges, or financial thresholds. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 5)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law exempts nuclear and radioactive waste from its provisions, stating that the law's requirements do not apply to this type of waste. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 3)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures. It focuses on establishing the responsibilities and obligations of various parties involved in waste management, but does not address how disputes would be handled. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not establish any specific deadlines or time limits. It requires the competent authority to notify the Ministry annually about its waste management plan, but does not provide any further details on timing or deadlines. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Art. 4)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references several other UAE federal laws that it is related to or may interact with, including:
- Federal Law No. (26) of 1981 on Maritime Trade Law
- Federal Law No. (24) of 1999 on the Environment Protection and Development
- Federal Law No. (9) of 2011 on Land Transport
However, the law does not specify how it amends or repeals any of these other laws. It simply states that it is issued in accordance with these related laws. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
The Federal Law on Integrated Waste Management was issued on 18 December 2018 and came into effect on 31 March 2019, as published in Official Gazette No. 644. (Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, Issued Date, Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law on Integrated Waste Management 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.