Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The purpose of EIA is to ensure the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources including human health aspects against uncontrolled development. The long-term objective is to ensure a sustainable economic development that meets present needs without compromising future generations ability to meet their own needs. EIA is an important tool in the integrated environmental management approach.

EIA must be performed for new establishments or projects and for expansions or renovations of existing establishments according to the Law for the Environment.

Decrees:

Decree	Download File
Decrees
Ministerial Decrees	(Minister Decree No. 19 for year 2016 (Ar) )
	(Minister Decree No. 20 for year 2016 (Ar) )
	(Minister Decree No. 75 for year 2017 (Ar) )
CEO Decrees	(CEO Decree No. 26 for year 2016 (Ar) )
Lists
	The "A" List Projects (Ar)
	The "B" List Projects (Ar)
	The "Scoped EIA" List Projects (Ar)
	The "C" List Projects (Ar)
	Projects that have Special Conditions (Ar)

General Overview of the Environmental Impact Assessment

Law No. 4 states that the environmental impact of certain establishments or projects must be evaluated before any construction works are initiated or a license is issued by the competent administrative authority or licensing authority.

The Executive Regulations relating to Law No. 4 identifies establishments or projects which must be subjected to an Environmental Impact Assessment based upon the following main principles:

1. Type of activity performed by the establishment.
2. Extent of natural resources exploitation.
3. Location of the establishment.
4. Type of energy used to operate the establishment.

The number of projects subject to this provision are many and will form a heavy burden to administrative authorities and the EEAA. A flexible system for the management of EIA projects has therefore been developed in order to use limited economic and technical resources in the best possible way.

The system encompasses a flexible screening system and projects are classified into three groups or classes reflecting different levels of environmental impact assessment according to severity of possible environmental impacts.

The List Approach

The list approach depends on screening projects into three categories based on different levels of EIA required according to severity of possible environmental impacts as follows:

1. The "A" list projects for establishments/projects with minor environmental impact.
2. The "B" list projects for establishments/projects which may result in substantial environmental impact.
3. The "C" list projects for establishments/projects which require complete EIA due to their potential impacts.

N.B. Screening projects/establishments into three categories is a guide for the EIA. It is not exhaustive lists but examples.

The classifications may be adjusted by the EEAA in accordance with experience gathered. If a project can not be classified in any of the three categories the developer must approach the EEAA for advice.

• The "A" List Projects
• Procedures


• The "B" List Projects
• The "Scoped EIA" List Projects
• Procedures


• The "C" List Projects
• Procedures


• Projects that have Special Conditions

The Appeal System

The decision taken by the authorities regarding the assessment and/or the proposals required to be implemented as considered necessary by the EEAA can be appealed to the Permanent Appeals Committee by developer within 30 days after receiving such decision. The classification according to environmental impacts of the projects ("A", "B" or "C") cannot be appealed.

Please refer to the Guidelines of Principles and Procedures for EIA for details.

Guidelines of Principles and Procedures for EIA:

Guidelines of Principles and Procedures for EIA (2^nd Edition - January 2009)    (English)     - (Arabic) 

EIA Forms:

• Form "A" (Arabic)
• Form "B" (Arabic)

Specialized Forms:

• Specialized Form "B" for charcoal production projects using advanced charcoal kilns (Arabic) 
• Specialized Form "B" for sanitary projects with design capacity to 20000 m³/day (Arabic) 

EIA Guidelines:

Sectors	Guidelines
Oil and Gas Sector	(Arabic - English )
Cement Manufacturing Plants	(Arabic - English )
Pharmaceutical Plants	(Arabic - English )
Land Reclamation Projects	(Arabic - English )
Assessment of Urban Development	(Arabic - English )
Development of Ports, Harbours and Marinas	(English )
Municipal Waste Water Treatment Works	(English )
Industrial Estates Development	(English )

Inquiry on the Projects Position

• Inquiry on the Projects Position presented for EIA.
• Executive summary for approved projects lists "B" & "C".

EIA for the Alexandria Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (AICZMP):

• Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. (English)
• Executive Summary . (English) - (Arabic)