Abu Dhabi EHSMS Regulatory

Framework
(AD EHSMS RF)
EHS Regulatory Instrument
Code of Practice

EHS RI CoP 55.0 Environmental

Management
Version 2.0
February 2012

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

With gratitude Abu Dhabi EHS Center acknowledges the great support provided by the Executive
Council in facilitating the issuance of Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment, Health and Safety
Management System (AD EHSMS) and its implementation at Emirate level.
The issuance of the system would not have been possible without the supervision, diligent efforts
and productive recommendations of the AD EHS Center Board of Directors.
These documents (Regulatory Instruments) constitute the efforts of the Abu Dhabi EHS Center
and the concerned Sector Regulatory Authorities who worked together to integrate all relevant
regulatory requirements under AD EHSMS RF. The input, contribution and constructive views of
all sectors is highly appreciated.
May these documents prove to be beneficial and helpful in system implementation and in
expanding the knowledge in the EHS field.

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Table of Contents
1.

Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 6

2.

Training and Competency.................................................................................................... 6

3.

Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.1

Roles and Responsibilities ....................................................................................... 7

3.2

Environmental Permitting ......................................................................................... 7

3.3

Compliance with Environmental Requirements ........................................................ 8

3.4

Air ............................................................................................................................ 9

3.5

Water ....................................................................................................................... 9

3.6

Land....................................................................................................................... 10

3.7

Noise ..................................................................................................................... 10

3.8

Hazardous Materials and Waste ............................................................................ 10

3.9

Climate Change and other Global Issues ............................................................... 10

4.

Record Keeping ................................................................................................................. 10

5.

References ........................................................................................................................ 11

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Preface
This Abu Dhabi EHS Regulatory Instrument was developed by the Environment Agency Abu
Dhabi as the Competent Authority for this topic to set the minimum mandatory requirements.
Every effort was made in developing this document so that it does not conflict with existing local
or federal laws and regulations. In case of conflict, requirements of the existing local and federal
laws and regulations shall prevail, and all concerned are obliged to bring the same to the
attention of AD EHS Center for resolution.
This AD EHS Regulatory Instrument has been developed, reviewed and approved, following the
process as described in AD EHSMS Implementation Guideline: The Integration of EHS
Requirements in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by the following stakeholders:

Abu Dhabi EHS Higher Committee;

Abu Dhabi EHS Center;

Environment Agency Abu Dhabi;

Department of Municipal Affairs;

Abu Dhabi City Municipality;
Al Ain City Municipality;
Western Region Municipality;

Department of Transport Abu Dhabi;

Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority;

Health Authority - Abu Dhabi;

Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp);

Center for Waste Management Abu Dhabi;

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority;

Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority;

Abu Dhabi Education Council;

Regulation and Supervision Bureau; and

Other Relevant Federal and Local Competent Authorities.

The AD EHSMS consists of the following hierarchy of documents:

AD EHSMS RF Elements - Mandatory System Requirements

EHS Regulatory Instruments:

Standards and Guideline Values - Mandatory EHS threshold and exposure levels

Codes of Practice - Mandatory EHS technical requirements subject specific

Mechanisms - Mandatory system implementation processes and procedures

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Guidelines:

Technical Guidelines - Non-mandatory guidance on how to implement an EHS Regulatory

Instrument

AD EHSMS Guidance Documents - Non-mandatory guidance and interpretation of an AD

EHSMS RF concept and/or principle

Further, this document is not intended to conflict with any contractual obligations in effect at the
time of its issuance. However, all future contracts shall adhere to applicable requirements stated
herein, and existing long term contracts shall be brought into compliance with its requirements as
soon as reasonably practicable as stipulated by relevant subject authorities.
This document will be reviewed periodically as part of the continual improvement cycle.

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1.

Introduction
(a) This Code of Practice (CoP) is designed to identify environmental requirements that

apply to all employers within Abu Dhabi Emirate. If the requirements in this CoP
conflict with those set by another regulatory authority, employers are required to follow
the more stringent requirements.
(b) The primary piece of legislation governing environmental protection is Federal Law

No. 24 of 1999. As the Competent Authority, EAD is responsible for implementation of

the law. Federal Law No. 24 aims to achieve the following goals:
(i)

protection and conservation of the quality and natural balance of the

environment;

(ii)

control of all forms of pollution and avoidance of any immediate or long-term

harmful effects resulting from economic, agricultural, industrial, development, or
other programs;

(iii)

development of natural resources, conservation of biological diversity in the

region of the state, and exploitation of such resources with consideration of
present and future generations;

(iv)

protection of society, human health, and the health of other living creatures from
activities and acts that are environmentally harmful or impede authorized use of
the environmental setting;

(v)

protection of the environment from the harmful effects of activities undertaken

outside the region of the state; and

(vi)

compliance with international and regional conventions ratified or approved by

the state regarding environmental protection, pollution control, and conservation
of natural resources.

(c) Where there is no federal or local environmental law, standard, or procedure

regarding a specific topic, employers shall adopt an international best practice as part
of their internal management system and justify why it is applicable for use in Abu
Dhabi Emirate.

2.

Training and Competency

(a) Employers shall ensure that EHS training complies with the requirements of:
(i) AD EHSMS RF Element 05 Training and Competency;
(ii) AD EHS RI Mechanism 7.0 AD EHS Professional Entity Registration; and
(iii) AD EHS RI Mechanism 8.0 AD EHS Practitioner Registration.
(b) In accordance with AD EHSMS RF Element 01 Roles, Responsibilities and Self-

Regulation Section 3.2.5 employers shall ensure employees required to implement

the requirements of this CoP are trained in appropriate environmental management
and understand the associated risks and the control measures put in place by the
employer.

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(c) Employers shall ensure that all persons holding environmental management

responsibilities within their organizations are competent to undertake their specific

roles and responsibilities as described within all applicable environmental regulations,
standard operating procedures (SOPs), Technical Guidance Documents, and
technical guidelines.

3.

Requirements

3.1

Roles and Responsibilities

3.1.1

Employers
(a) Employers shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the

general requirements of AD EHSMS RF Element 01 Roles, Responsibilities and

Self-Regulation Section 3.2.5.
3.1.2

Employees
(b) Employees shall undertake their roles and responsibilities in accordance with the

general requirements of AD EHSMS RF Element 01 Roles, Responsibilities and

Self-Regulation Section 3.2.7.
3.2

Environmental Permitting
(a) Proponents of development, infrastructure, and industrial projects are advised to

contact EAD early in the project planning cycle for information on and identification of
applicable environmental permitting requirements. In accordance with Federal Law
No. 24 for the Protection and Development of the Environment, various industrial, light
industrial, and commercial facilities, as well as certain infrastructure and development
projects, require an environmental permit or No Objection Certificate prior to the
commencement of site activities. In addition, certain environmental studies may be
required to process the permit.
(b) Employers shall follow the guidance in EADs Technical Guideline for the Submission

of Environmental Applications and Reports for the identification of activities / projects /

entities requiring environmental permitting and for the submission of environmental
permit applications and environmental studies and reports. Employers shall also
comply with all requirements in the following documents from EAD:
(i)

SoP for Permitting of Development and Infrastructure Projects in Abu Dhabi;

(ii)

SoP for Permitting of Industrial, Commercial, and Light Industrial Projects in Abu
Dhabi; and

(iii)

SoP for Permitting of Chemicals and Hazardous Materials in Abu Dhabi.

(c) Employers that are required to conduct an environmental audit report shall follow the

guidelines in EADs Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Audit Reports.

(d) Environmental studies and reports required by EAD or the Sector Regulatory Authority

shall follow the latest guidance from EAD, including the following:
(i)

Technical Guidance Document for Preliminary Environmental Review (PER);

(ii)

Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);

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(iii)

Technical Guidance Document for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA);

(iv)

Technical Guidance Document for Terms of Reference (TOR);

(v)

Technical Guidance Document for Construction Environmental Management

Plan (CEMP);

(vi)

Technical Guidance Document for Operation Environmental Management Plan

(OEMP);

(vii)

Technical Guidance Document for Decommissioning Environmental

Management Plan (DEMP);

(viii) Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Action Plan (EAP);

(ix)

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)for Compliance Monitoring Using

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS);

(x)

Air Quality Modeling Guidance;

(xi)

Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Audit Reports;

(xii)

Technical Guidance Document for Wastewater and Marine Water Quality

Monitoring; and

(xiii) Marine Dredging and Reclamation Guidelines and Permitting Requirements In

Abu Dhabi Emirate.

3.3

Compliance with Environmental Requirements

(a) Employers shall implement appropriate arrangements to maintain compliance with

environmental requirements stipulated in:

(i)

Federal and Local environmental laws and regulations;

(ii)

Environmental permit conditions issued by or in coordination with EAD;

(iii)

Environmental requirements of relevant Sector Regulatory Authority, if any; and

(iv)

Employer internal EHSMS requirements, including any International Best

Management Practices (BMPs) stipulated therein.

(b) To insure compliance, activities of employers shall be subject to environmental

inspections by:
(i)

Qualified staff, as stipulated in employers EHSMS or other internal

environmental management arrangements;

(ii)

EHS staff of relevant SRA, where applicable; and

(iii)

EAD, the environment Competent Authority in Abu Dhabi Emirate.

(c) Where required, employers shall develop programs / arrangements to monitor their

environmental performance, eg. in terms of effluent discharges, air emissions and

solid waste management, as per AD EHSMS RF Element 07 Monitoring,
Investigation and Reporting.
(d) Analysis of sample collected for environmental monitoring purposes shall be

conducted by laboratories licenced / accredited / permitted by Emirates Authority for

Standardization and Metrology (ESMA).
(e) Employers shall close non-conformity(s) as soon as reasonably practicable, in

coordination with EAD and the concerned SRA, if any, and other relevant authorities.
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3.4

Air
(a) Employers shall comply with the requirements set forth in Chapter 4: Protection of Air

from Pollution of Federal Law No. 24 of 1999.

(b) The following sources shall be in compliance with the maximum allowable limits set

forth in Decree No. (12) of 2006: Regulation Concerning Protection of Air from
Pollution:
(i)

all stationary sources;

(ii)

all hydrocarbon fuel combustion sources;

(iii)

all solid waste incinerators; and

(iv)

all hazardous and medical waste incinerators.

(c) Employers shall be in compliance with:

(i)

the maximum allowable limits for dust in working areas and the maximum
allowable limits for chemical substances in working areas as set forth in Decree
No. (12) of 2006: Regulation Concerning Protection of Air from Pollution; and

(ii)

supplementary requirements on allowable limits for chemical substances in

working areas and associated CoPs and technical guidelines issued under AD
EHSMS RF.

(d) Employers that are required to operate a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System

(CEMS) shall use the guidance provided in EADs Standard Operating Procedure for
Compliance Monitoring Using Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems when
evaluating and reporting CEMS data.
(e) Employers conducting air quality modeling are required to follow the methods

described in EADs document titled Air Quality Modeling Guidance.

(f) Employers shall refer to the EADs Handbook on How to Develop a Quality System for

an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network.

(g) Employers shall comply with the relevant requirements of AD EHSMS RF Standards

and Guideline Values.

3.5

Water
(a) Employers shall comply with the requirements set forth in:
(i)

Chapter 2, Section 2: Protection of the Marine Environment of Federal Law No.

24 of 1999;

(ii)

Decree No. (37) of 2001: Regulation Concerning Protection of the Marine

Environment;

(iii)

Chapter 2, Section 3: Protection of Drinking and Underground Water of Federal

Law No. 24 of 1999;

(iv)

EADs Technical Guidance Document for Wastewater and Marine Water Quality
Monitoring;

(v)

EADs Marine Dredging and Reclamation Guidelines and Permitting

Requirements in Abu Dhabi Emirate; and

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(vi)

Technical Guidance Document Standards and Limits for Pollution to Air and
Marine Environments, Occupational Exposure, Pesticides and Chemical Use.

(b) All coastal developments shall follow the guidelines in the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning

Councils Interim Coastal Development Guidelines.

3.6

Land
(a) Employers shall comply with the requirements set forth in:
(i)

Chapter 3: Soil Protection of Federal Law No. 24 of 1999; and

(ii)

Decree No. (37) of 2001: Regulation Concerning Agricultural Pesticides and

Fertilizers.

(b) In the absence of official EAD standards for soil, employers are required to use the

Dutch Soil Standards.

3.7

Noise
(a) Employers shall be in compliance with:

3.8

(i)

the noise limits in Decree No. (12) of 2006: Regulation Concerning Protection of
Air from Pollution; and

(ii)

AD EHS RI CoP 3.0 Occupational Noise.

Hazardous Materials and Waste

(a) Employers shall comply with the requirements in:

3.9

(i)

Chapter 5: Handling of Hazardous Substances and Hazardous Wastes and

Medical Wastes of Federal Law No. 24 of 1999;

(ii)

Decree No. (37) of 2001: Regulation Concerning Handling of Hazardous

Substances, Hazardous Wastes and Medical Wastes;

(iii)

Law No. 21 of 2005 for Waste Management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi;

(iv)

AD EHS RI CoP 1.0 Hazardous Materials; and

(v)

AD EHS RI CoP 54.0 Waste Management.

Climate Change and other Global Issues

(a) SRAs and relevant government entities shall conform to Executive Council Decree

No (11 Session 35/2010), concerning the usage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
and Clean Diesel as alternative fuel by 2012.
(b) SRAs shall update the emissions inventory for their relevant sectors every three

years, once the relevant EAD Guidelines are issued (currently under development).

4.

Record Keeping
(a) Water, Wastewater, and Electricity Sector entities that hold a license issued in

accordance with Article (82) of Law (2) of 1998 Concerning the Regulation of the
Water and Electricity Sector shall report environmental incidents according to The
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Incident Reporting Regulations 2008 issued by the Regulation and Supervision

Bureau.
(b) Any employer reporting air data for Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems

(CEMS) shall comply with the reporting templates in EADs document titled SOP for
Compliance Monitoring Using Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS).
(c) Any employer that is required to provide environmental audit reports to EAD shall

comply with EADs Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Audit Reports.
(d) Any employer that is required to provide water monitoring reports to EAD shall comply

with EADs Technical Guidance Document for Wastewater and Marine Water Quality
Monitoring.

5.

References

Air Quality Modeling Guidance. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Available online at: http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Council of Ministers Decree No. (12) of 2006: Regulation Concerning Protection of Air
from Pollution. 2006. United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu
Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/Tacsoft/FileManager/Laws/Regulation%20concerning%20Protectio
n%20of%20Air%20from%20Pollution-Arabic.pdf

Council of Ministers Decree No. (37) of 2001 Concerning Protection and Development
of the Environment. 2001. United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Environment and Water,
Abu Dhabi, UAE. Four documents. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/Tacsoft/FileManager/Laws/Regulation%20on%20Impact%20Asses
sment%20of%20Projects-Arabic.pdf
http://www.ead.ae/Tacsoft/FileManager/Laws/Regulation%20concerning%20Protectio
n%20of%20the%20Marine%20Environment-Arabic.pdf
http://www.ead.ae/Tacsoft/FileManager/Laws/Regulation%20on%20Hazardous%20S
ubstances%20and%20Hazardous%20Wastes-Arabic.pdf
http://www.ead.ae/Tacsoft/FileManager/Laws/Regulation%20on%20Agricultural%20P
esticides%20and%20Conditioners-Arabic.pdf

Federal Law No. (24) of 1999 for the Protection and Development of the Environment.
1999. United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Available online at: http://www.ead.ae/TacSoft/FileManager/Laws/epad.pdf

Federal Law No. (21) of 2005 for Waste Management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
2005. The Center of Waste Management, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.cwm.ae/index.php?page=waste-law.

Interim Coastal Development Guidelines. Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, Abu
Dhabi, UAE. Available online at: http://upc.gov.ae/guidelines/cultural-heritage/coastal-development-guidelines.aspx?lang=en-US.

Marine Dredging and Reclamation Guidelines and Permitting Requirements in Abu

Dhabi Emirate. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

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Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Compliance Monitoring Using Continuous

Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS). June 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Compliance Monitoring Using Continuous

Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS). June 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi,
UAE. Available online at: http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Permitting of Chemicals and Hazardous

Materials in Abu Dhabi. April 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available
online at: http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/standard.operating.procedures.aspx.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Permitting of Development and

Infrastructure Projects in Abu Dhabi. April 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi,
UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/standard.operating.procedures.aspx.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Permitting of Industrial, Commercial, and

Light Industrial Projects in Abu Dhabi. April 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi,
UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/standard.operating.procedures.aspx.

Standards and Limits for Pollution to Air and Marine Environments, Occupational
Exposure, Pesticides and Chemical Use. 2004. Technical guidance document TG0003R Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE.

Technical Guidance Document for Construction Environmental Management Plan

(CEMP). April 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Decommissioning Environmental Management

Plan (DEMP). April 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Action Plan (EAP). April 2010.
Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Audit Reports. January 2011.

Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). April

2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Operation Environmental Management Plan

(OEMP). April 2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Preliminary Environmental Review (PER). April

2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

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Technical Guidance Document for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). April

2010. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Terms of Reference (TOR). April 2010.

Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guidance Document for Wastewater and Marine Water Quality Monitoring.
April 2011. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

Technical Guideline for the Submission of Environmental Applications and Reports.

April 2011. Environment AgencyAbu Dhabi, UAE. Available online at:
http://www.ead.ae/en/portal/technica.guidelines.aspx.

The Incident Reporting Regulations 2008. Issued by The Regulation and Supervision
Bureau for the Water, Wastewater and Electricity Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
ED R01 013, Issue 1. December 2008. Available online at:
www.rsb.gov.ae/PDFs/law14.pdf.

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 Abu Dhabi EHS Center 2012

This document is and shall remain the property of the AD EHS Center. The document may only be used for the
purposes for which it was intended. Unauthorised use or reproduction of this document is prohibited.

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