Environmental Law
Overview
Concern for the environment has been growing in recent years, both in the
government and among the Egyptian public, thanks to a new awareness of
the importance of natural resources as well as a desire to protect the welfare
of the Egyptian people. Environmental Law No. 4 of 1994 reflects this
growing trend. The law grants incentives to those who implement
environmental protection activities or projects and enforces penalties against
those who violate its provisions.
Egyptian
Environmental
Affairs Agency
Law No. 4 provides for the creation of an agency for the protection and
promotion of the environment, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
(EEAA). The EEAA formulates general policy and prepares the necessary
plans for the protection and promotion of the environment. It also follows up
on the implementation of such plans.
The law provides for a mandatory environmental review, to be undertaken
by the competent administrative authority according to the EEAA's
instructions, as part of the approval process for all proposed projects.
The law forbids the handling of hazardous substances and wastes or the
Hazardous Waste
construction of any establishment for treating such substances without a
and Materials
license from the competent administrative authority. It is also forbidden to
import hazardous waste or to allow its entrance into or passage through
Egyptian territory. It is mandatory for all those who produce or handle
dangerous materials to take appropriate precautions to protect the
environment.
Air Pollution
All establishments (industrial or other) are required to ensure that air
pollutants emitted (or leaked) from their facilities do not exceed the
maximum permissible levels. It is prohibited to incinerate, to dispose of or to
treat garbage and solid wastes or to spray pesticides or any other chemical
compounds, except in accordance with the conditions and safety measures
specified in the Executive Regulations of the law.
Marine
Environment
Ships of any nationality, offshore platforms and any other companies or
agencies authorized to explore or exploit natural marine resources are
forbidden
to discharge into the territorial sea of Egypt any polluting
substances that may result in harm to the marine environment.
The Egyptian government has developed a five-year environmental action
National Action
plan (1997/98-2001/02) for dealing with the country's solid waste, air and
Plan
water pollution problems. The plan's priorities include preparing feasibility
studies for proposed development projects, urging companies to work
toward ISO 14000 environmental standards certification and urging the use
of scientific management techniques and waste recycling to preserve natural
resources.
International
Conventions
Egypt is a signatory to various conventions concerning environment
protection, among which are the following:

The Environmental Modification Convention

The African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources

The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

The Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

The Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea
Against Pollution;

The Brussels Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage

The Moscow Treaty for Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere