emirates7 - The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued Resolution No. (4) of 2025 to regulate the approval and registration of environmental consultancy offices (ECOs) in the emirate. This resolution governs offices involved in environmental consulting, research, and studies, whether they are newly established or already operating under existing licences.
The primary objective is to ensure high standards in environmental consulting services by setting clear procedures for registration, performance monitoring, and classification of ECOs. EAD will collaborate with relevant authorities in the emirate to enforce the resolution, including halting the renewal or modification of licences for ECOs unless they are certified and registered with EAD.
Under this resolution, EAD will also implement awareness and training programmes to educate consultancy offices on the necessary conditions for registration, approval, and classification. These programmes will cover applicable regulations, operating procedures, and technical requirements to enhance the quality of services offered.
To qualify for approval, consultancy offices must submit a detailed application that includes information about their personnel, their qualifications and experience, examples of past projects, and previously conducted environmental studies. Offices must meet specific criteria, such as having a director with relevant academic and professional credentials, maintaining a skilled technical team, being equipped with modern tools and technologies, and operating from a legally licensed physical location within Abu Dhabi.
The resolution also requires that only EAD-approved and registered ECOs are allowed to carry out environmental consultancy services for projects and establishments. ECOs are obligated to secure approval before commencing any activity, avoid conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality and impartiality, and adhere to scientific standards. They are also required to notify EAD of any changes affecting their operations.
EAD has the authority to suspend or cancel an office’s approval in certain circumstances and can reclassify offices based on their performance. Firms can also request changes to their classification or service scope. EAD will conduct annual reviews to evaluate the quality of work submitted by ECOs and may upgrade or downgrade their classification accordingly.
The primary objective is to ensure high standards in environmental consulting services by setting clear procedures for registration, performance monitoring, and classification of ECOs. EAD will collaborate with relevant authorities in the emirate to enforce the resolution, including halting the renewal or modification of licences for ECOs unless they are certified and registered with EAD.
Under this resolution, EAD will also implement awareness and training programmes to educate consultancy offices on the necessary conditions for registration, approval, and classification. These programmes will cover applicable regulations, operating procedures, and technical requirements to enhance the quality of services offered.
To qualify for approval, consultancy offices must submit a detailed application that includes information about their personnel, their qualifications and experience, examples of past projects, and previously conducted environmental studies. Offices must meet specific criteria, such as having a director with relevant academic and professional credentials, maintaining a skilled technical team, being equipped with modern tools and technologies, and operating from a legally licensed physical location within Abu Dhabi.
The resolution also requires that only EAD-approved and registered ECOs are allowed to carry out environmental consultancy services for projects and establishments. ECOs are obligated to secure approval before commencing any activity, avoid conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality and impartiality, and adhere to scientific standards. They are also required to notify EAD of any changes affecting their operations.
EAD has the authority to suspend or cancel an office’s approval in certain circumstances and can reclassify offices based on their performance. Firms can also request changes to their classification or service scope. EAD will conduct annual reviews to evaluate the quality of work submitted by ECOs and may upgrade or downgrade their classification accordingly.