RIYADH: The National Centre for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) has announced the first outcomes of its freelance licensing initiative, with 99 Saudi men and women now providing environmental consulting services to more than 60 low-impact facilities.
NCEC spokesperson Saad Al-Mutrafi said the initiative forms part of the centre’s broader strategy to simplify environmental compliance procedures and reduce costs for small businesses while creating new employment opportunities for Saudi nationals, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.
He noted that, in response to growing demand for environmental services, the NCEC has qualified 99 Saudi professionals to prepare Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) under its professional accreditation programme. The initiative is designed to regulate the sector through an approved framework, improve market efficiency and strengthen environmental compliance across the Kingdom.
According to Al-Mutrafi, licensed freelancers are now providing services to more than 60 construction projects and operating facilities across various sectors, including waste collection services, residential developments, vehicle repair workshops, veterinary clinics, animal shelters and truck parking facilities.
He added that freelance consultants can offer environmental services to low-impact facilities at competitive rates, providing a cost-effective alternative to environmental consulting firms, which typically focus on medium- and large-scale projects.
Al-Mutrafi said opening the environmental services market to qualified individuals aims to boost employment, enhance access to environmental expertise and increase compliance rates among low-impact facilities.
The initiative also provides businesses with an affordable and official channel for preparing Environmental Management Plans, helping improve adherence to environmental regulations and minimise potential environmental impacts.
He further noted that more than 60,000 environmentally licensed facilities across Saudi Arabia are required to fulfil a range of regulatory obligations, including submitting periodic reports, conducting environmental impact assessments and preparing corrective action plans.
The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental governance, support sustainable development and expand participation in the Kingdom’s growing green economy.
He explained that facilities are classified according to the environmental impact of their activities as high, medium, or low impact.
