Saudi Arabia is the only GCC state with EPR in primary law. Article 14 of the 2021 Waste Management Law, MWAN, penalties, and what producers should prepare.
Introduction
Across the GCC, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is mostly a policy direction. In Saudi Arabia it is a statutory duty. The Waste Management Law of 2021 names producers and importers and makes them responsible for the financial sustainability of the waste sector. For any company that makes or imports goods for the Saudi market, that changes waste from a facilities cost into a product cost.
The law
The Waste Management Law (نظام إدارة النفايات) was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/3) dated 5/1/1443H (13 August 2021), approved by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (11), and published on 17 September 2021. It entered into force 60 days after publication and replaced the earlier Municipal Solid Waste Management Law.
Article 14 is the EPR provision. Every producer and importer bears extended producer responsibility, for the financial sustainability of the waste sector and in line with circular economy principles. The Executive Regulation sets the procedures and conditions.
Article 11 adds the generator’s duties: reduce waste, reuse where possible and segregate at source.
The regulator and the Executive Regulation
The National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) regulates the sector and is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
The Executive Regulation was launched on 3 October 2022 by the Deputy Minister of Environment at an MWAN event. The Saudi Press Agency’s account of the launch lists a chapter on extended producer responsibility and the waste value chain.
The Royal Decree that issued the law also directed MWAN to complete a financial model for the sector and determine charges for each producer category within two years. Confirm the producer charges that apply to your product categories with MWAN before any budget relies on them.
Electronics and batteries
E-waste is the stream where Saudi activity is most visible. At LEAP 2025 in February 2025, MWAN and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop regulation and reach 90% recycling of electronic products, including e-waste and used batteries, by 2040. CST’s “Recycle your Device” initiative has collected more than 100,000 devices.
In Saudi Arabia, EPR is not a pilot. It is Article 14 of a law that has been in force since 2021, and it names importers as well as producers.
What producers and importers should prepare
- Confirm status. If you manufacture in the Kingdom or import goods into it, Article 14 applies to you.
- Build the placed-on-market dataset. Quantities by product category, material and weight, by year. Producer charges are set per producer category, so this number drives the cost.
- Map your waste streams. Packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and tyres are the streams EPR schemes cover first.
- Check the Executive Regulation against your products. Read the EPR chapter for registration, targets and reporting, and ask MWAN directly where the text is unclear.
- Contract licensed partners. Collection, recycling and disposal only through MWAN-licensed service providers.
- Report it. Producer responsibility data belongs in sustainability reporting under the frameworks Saudi listed companies already use.
How ESGweise helps
ESGweise helps producers and importers in Saudi Arabia work out their obligations under the Waste Management Law, build the placed-on-market and waste data that EPR charges will rest on, and bring it into sustainability reporting and an ISO 14001 environmental management system. For the UAE position, see UAE Extended Producer Responsibility.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia has done what the rest of the GCC is still discussing: written producer responsibility into primary law, given it to a dedicated regulator and backed it with heavy penalties. The detail of charges and targets runs through MWAN. The principle does not wait for it. Producers and importers are responsible now, and the companies that hold accurate data on what they place on the market will be the ones able to price and plan for it.
Sources
- Waste Management Law, Royal Decree No. (M/3) dated 5/1/1443H, Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers, laws.boe.gov.sa (Articles 11, 14, 29 and 32)
- Saudi Press Agency, launch of the Executive Regulation of the Waste Management Law, 3 October 2022
- Communications, Space and Technology Commission, MoU with MWAN at LEAP25, February 2025
Frequently asked questions
Does Saudi Arabia have Extended Producer Responsibility?
Yes. Article 14 of the Waste Management Law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/3 on 13 August 2021, makes every producer and importer bear extended producer responsibility for the financial sustainability of the waste sector, on circular economy principles. The Executive Regulation sets the procedures and conditions.
Who regulates EPR in Saudi Arabia?
The National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), which is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The Royal Decree that issued the law directed MWAN to complete a financial model for the sector and determine charges for each producer category within two years.
Do importers have EPR obligations in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Article 14 names both producers and importers, so a company that imports products into the Kingdom carries the responsibility even if the goods are made elsewhere.
What are the penalties under the Saudi Waste Management Law?
Up to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of up to SAR 30,000,000, or either, for storing, burning, treating, dumping or disposing of waste in a way that endangers health or the environment (Article 29). Other violations carry fines of up to SAR 10,000,000 and licence suspension or cancellation, doubled for a repeat within three years (Article 32).