AJEAM-RAGEE Vol. 12 August 2007; page 13-27 DEVELOPING AN INDUSTRIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN EGYPT: THE PROPOSED GUIDELINES AND STATUS Farida M. S. El-Din El-Dars*# Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Ain Helwan, Cairo, Egypt. E-Mail : fkeldars@aucegypt.edu Abstract In the early 1990s, industrial hazardous waste management in Egypt was identified as a priority by national environmental action and the environmental promulgation law. However, there was no clear strategy set forth by either documents on how to proceed towards the realization of this national goal. This task was achieved by compiling a baseline study report during 1992-93. The report provided a list of short and long-term actions that were required to establish this waste management system in line with both of these official documents. As well, it presented a list of practical steps to be taken in order to proceed promptly with the validation of these actions. This paper reviews the experience of developing the relevant guidelines for this system from 1992 until 1996. In addition, it provides an update on the current achievements and developments in the field as well as the outstanding obstacles. Keywords: Hazardous Waste Management, Industrial Wastes, Egypt I. Introduction The concept of establishing a national hazardous waste management system in Egypt was first introduced in 1992 by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) in the Environmental Action Plan (EEAA, 1992) and the Environment Promulgation Law formulated concurrently (EEAA, 1994). However, with each document addressing the issue at its own level of concern, no clear strategy was set forth to support this initiative. In the meantime, the national agency was required to produce a listing of viable project components by January 1993 to ensure the promotion of its objective among the international donor community. This task was achieved by compiling a baseline report during the period from June -December 92 (El-Dars et al., 1993). The report offered a prospectus of short and long-term priority actions, the viability of which were evaluated during the period from 1993 –1995 to produce feasibility studies. In addition, the report was influential in developing other national initiatives in support of the ongoing efforts to improve local environmental conditions (Abdel Motaal, 1994; TCOE, 1995). * Formerly a Senior Technical Office, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Program, the Technical Cooperation Office for the Environment (TCOE), the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA); June 92 - November 1996. # Junior National Consultant, Hazardous Materials and Waste Regulations Discussions (March 1993). 13