An Environmental Audit Study is an effective tool for evaluating the extent of a facility’s commitment to local and international environmental laws, as well as identifying potential environmental risks and deviations. This study aims to review the facility’s environmental and operational activities, ensuring their compatibility with the regulations of the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) and the new Environmental Law.
Through an Environmental Audit Study, the overall environmental performance of the facility can be improved, and the chances of facing violations can be reduced. It also contributes to maintaining environmental permits, such as the Category 1 Environmental Permit. Therefore, we provide you with this service with accuracy and professionalism, providing clear reports and actionable recommendations at competitive prices that support environmental sustainability.
Contact us now for a free consultation from the Sustainable Resources Office for Environmental Consulting, accredited in Saudi Arabia, or call us at +966590721313.
What is an Environmental Audit Study?
An Environmental Audit Study is a systematic process aimed at evaluating the actual environmental performance of facilities compared to approved standards and legislation. it represents an effective regulatory tool that contributes to improving environmental compliance and reducing operational risks. This study is one of the vital components of the environmental compliance system, focusing on reviewing the facility’s current activities and determining its commitment to approved environmental management plans.
In this context, the Environmental Audit Study completes the series of environmental control tools, which include the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and the Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP), as it is used to monitor the effectiveness of these plans during the implementation and operation phases of projects. Furthermore, environmental audit results are often documented within the Environmental Record for Facilities, facilitating the processes of preparing periodic environmental reports and enhancing transparency in disclosing the project’s environmental performance.
Moreover, conducting an environmental audit study in the post-implementation phase serves as a supplement to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study typically conducted before the start of a project. It compares the planned environmental measures with what has actually been implemented on the ground, contributing to continuous improvement in environmental performance and ensuring compliance with national environmental rules and regulations.
Environmental Audit Study for Category II Projects
An Environmental Audit Study for Category II projects requires verifying the commitment of these projects to environmental requirements and standards without the need for a full environmental impact assessment, given that their activities are considered to have a medium impact on the environment. The study includes a review of waste management processes, air emissions, and energy and water consumption.
To ensure alignment with the Saudi Environmental Law and the requirements of the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), this audit helps in obtaining the environmental permit quickly and avoiding any future environmental violations.
Environmental Audit Study for Category III Projects
The Environmental Audit Study for Category III projects is considered more complex and important, as these projects have a high environmental impact and usually include major industrial sectors. The audit focuses on a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, monitoring hazardous emissions, and ensuring the application of the highest environmental auditing standards.
Detailed reports are typically prepared and submitted to the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) to support decisions on granting or renewing environmental permits. Collaborating with accredited environmental consultants helps improve environmental performance and avoid penalties resulting from gross environmental violations.
Difference Between Environmental Audit Study and Environmental Inspection
An environmental audit study is a voluntary internal evaluation tool aimed at reviewing the environmental performance of the facility in a comprehensive and systematic manner. It includes analyzing compliance with environmental systems, the effectiveness of the Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP), as well as the alignment of operations with what was stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study. The study is usually conducted at the facility’s initiative or as part of periodic environmental reporting requirements, including reviewing the facility’s environmental record and ensuring all measures taken are compatible with approved environmental plans.
As for environmental inspection, it is an official regulatory procedure conducted by competent authorities, such as the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), based on the approved Environmental Inspection Manual. The inspection aims to verify the facility’s compliance with rules and regulations, including adherence to environmental permit categories, payment of environmental permit fees, and ensuring the implementation of construction and operational environmental management plans.
In short, an environmental audit is a proactive internal tool, while an environmental inspection is an external regulatory procedure performed as needed or periodically to ensure environmental compliance.
Objectives of an Environmental Audit Study
An environmental audit study is one of the important strategic tools adopted by facilities to evaluate their environmental performance and verify their compliance with regulations and systems issued by competent authorities like the NCEC. This study is also used to review the effectiveness of implementing the Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP), linking it to the results of periodic environmental report preparation, and aligning it with what was stated in the approved EIA study for the project.
From here, a set of main objectives for this study emerges, the most prominent of which are:
- Evaluating the facility’s commitment to local and international environmental systems.
- Identifying deficiencies in the actual implementation of construction and operational environmental management plans.
- Verifying the accuracy of the facility’s environmental record data and its alignment with reality.
- Supporting management decisions in improving environmental performance and reducing risks.
- Preparing recommendations for corrective actions in case of violations.
- Improving resource sustainability and reducing costs resulting from environmental waste.
- Facilitating the process of obtaining or renewing environmental permits of various categories from competent authorities.
- Enhancing the facility’s readiness for official environmental inspection operations by regulatory bodies.
When is an Environmental Audit Study Requested?
An environmental audit study is requested in a number of cases requiring verification of facilities’ compliance with environmental systems and their actual implementation of what was previously approved in the EIA study and various environmental management plans. According to the controls established by the NCEC, this study is a regulatory tool used periodically, or when operational changes or activity expansions occur, or before the rehabilitation of environmentally degraded sites.
An environmental audit study is also requested in the following cases:
- When renewing or amending the facility’s environmental permit, especially for Category 1 or high-sensitivity activities.
- When implementing an Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP) or CEMP to verify adherence to approved measures.
- In case of environmental complaints or notes from the environmental inspection manual necessitating a review of the facility’s environmental performance.
- As a complementary requirement when preparing periodic environmental reports, especially for large or industrial projects.
- When creating or updating the environmental record for facilities to ensure data accuracy and procedural documentation.
- In cases of emergency environmental accidents or leaks necessitating impact assessment and cause remediation.
- When executing a rehabilitation plan for degraded sites to ensure the safety of repair and environmental compensation procedures.
Stages of Implementing an Environmental Audit Study
An environmental audit study is a vital step in ensuring facilities comply with approved environmental regulations and standards. It is carried out through a set of methodical stages that allow for evaluating environmental performance and verifying the effectiveness of environmental plans such as the OEMP and CEMP, as well as reviewing documents like periodic environmental reports and the environmental record for facilities. The main stages of implementation are:
- Defining the scope of the study and the environmental audit objectives.
- Collecting relevant environmental documents, such as the EIA study and environmental management plans.
- Conducting field site visits to observe environmental practices and verify compliance.
- Comparing actual environmental performance with approved environmental rules and standards.
- Analyzing audit results and identifying compliance aspects and areas of deficiency.
- Preparing the environmental audit report including recommendations and corrective actions.
- Submitting the report to relevant authorities such as the NCEC.
How to Obtain an Environmental License
- Log in to the environmental licensing platform affiliated with the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC).
- Create an account for the facility or sign in.
- Fill out the electronic environmental license application form.
- Determine the activity type and environmental permit category (Category 1, 2, or 3).
- Attach the EIA study or environmental audit study based on the activity requirements.
- Attach required documents such as the CEMP, OEMP, and the facility’s environmental record.
- Pay the environmental permit fees electronically.
- Wait for the application review by the competent authority.
- Receive the environmental license upon electronic approval.
Frequently Asked Questions about Environmental Audit Studies
Who performs the environmental audit?
The environmental audit study is typically conducted by specialized teams of accredited environmental experts or consulting bodies licensed by the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC). These teams are technically qualified to analyze the facility’s environmental performance, review its compliance with regulations, and ensure the implementation of plans such as the Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP), periodic environmental reports, and the environmental record for facilities according to regulatory requirements.
What does an environmental auditor do?
An environmental auditor performs several key tasks aimed at evaluating facilities’ commitment to approved environmental standards, including:
Reviewing and evaluating the facility’s environmental performance.
Examining the facility’s compliance with CEMP and OEMP.
Ensuring the Preparation of the Environmental Record for Facilities and accurately updating it.
Verifying the submission of periodic environmental reports according to specified regulations.
Monitoring adherence to the results and recommendations of the EIA study.
Identifying violations or sources of potential environmental risk and providing corrective recommendations.
Preparing a detailed audit report submitted to relevant authorities like the NCEC.
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study?
An EIA study is an analytical document prepared to identify and evaluate the potential impacts of any developmental or industrial project on the surrounding environment before implementation starts. This study aims to ensure the project will not cause major environmental damage, or that sufficient measures will be implemented to reduce these damages if they occur.
What are the tasks of an environmental inspector?
The tasks of an environmental inspector involve monitoring facilities’ compliance with approved environmental regulations and systems. They inspect sites, review the environmental records of facilities, and verify the implementation of construction and operational environmental management plans. Additionally, they prepare inspection reports, suggest corrective actions, and ensure facility adherence to environmental permit conditions. This role is a key part of supporting environmental audit study and environmental inspection processes to promote environmental sustainability.
What is the job of an environmental researcher?
The job of an environmental researcher focuses on studying factors that affect the environment and analyzing interactions between human activities and ecosystems. They collect data, conduct field and laboratory studies, and analyze results to provide scientific and sustainable environmental solutions. They also participate in preparing reports such as EIA studies and environmental audit studies, contributing to the development of OEMPs and the Environmental Record for Facilities, with the aim of supporting regulatory bodies and facilities in improving environmental performance and complying with relevant regulations.
What is an environmental permit?
An environmental permit is an official approval issued by competent authorities like the NCEC in Saudi Arabia that allows facilities to practice industrial or service activities provided they adhere to approved environmental controls and standards.
Obtaining an environmental permit is a fundamental step for any project that may impact the environment. it often requires submitting an EIA cycle study or an environmental audit study, in addition to preparing the environmental record for facilities and an OEMP. Environmental permit categories vary according to the activity impact level (Category 1, 2, or 3), and fees are determined based on the project type and size.