Professional accreditation in the surveying sector: new requirements and strict oversight
The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced a crucial regulatory step, making professional accreditation in the surveying sector a prerequisite for practicing any activities related to this vital field. The new mandatory regulations aim to qualify and classify practitioners, ensuring increased operational efficiency and protecting beneficiaries through the establishment of a unified registry, which will be operational soon after its official publication. These regulations aim to organize and develop geospatial work and enhance the quality of services and products offered.
Historical development of the geospatial sector in the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed radical transformations in infrastructure management and development over the past decades. Historically, surveying work relied on traditional methods that required considerable time and effort. However, with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the urgent need for precise digital transformation became apparent. The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information was established to serve as the unified national body regulating this sector and keeping pace with global advancements in the use of artificial intelligence and satellite imagery. This historic development necessitated the creation of a legal and professional framework to ensure the quality of outputs, guaranteeing their compliance with international standards and meeting the needs of rapid urban development.
The importance of the unified registry and professional accreditation in the surveying sector
Under the new regulations, the Authority has mandated that all surveying and geospatial information practitioners obtain official accreditation, classifying them into levels based on their professional areas. The document includes the establishment of a practitioners' register, a comprehensive database listing all accredited practitioners and containing their personal and professional information. To enhance transparency, the Authority will publish a list of accredited practitioners on its website, enabling clients and the public to directly verify the credibility of service providers. Implementing professional accreditation in the surveying sector strengthens confidence in the sector's outputs and supports the continuous development of national expertise.
Expected impact on development projects and the regional economy
The importance of this regulation extends beyond the local level, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for geospatial data management. Domestically, this measure will ensure the availability of high-precision geospatial data, which is the cornerstone of mega-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and infrastructure projects across various cities. Regionally and internationally, this regulation reflects the Kingdom's commitment to implementing the highest standards of quality and governance, attracting foreign investment in the technology and construction sectors and providing a secure and reliable business environment based on accurate and documented data.
Strict commitments and an integrated governance system
To ensure effective implementation, the authority emphasized strict obligations for practitioners, most notably maintaining transaction records for five years and strictly preserving the confidentiality of client data. The regulations also warned against prohibited practices, including harming clients, tampering with geospatial information, or subletting. Furthermore, the prohibitions extended to the use of any surveying equipment that might emit pollutants that negatively impact the environment.
To strengthen oversight, the Authority established a comprehensive governance system comprising specialized committees for accreditation, compliance, regulation, and grievances. The Compliance Committee is responsible for monitoring and conducting field inspections to ensure the application of the rules, with inspectors maintaining complete impartiality. As a transitional step, current practitioners will be granted initial accreditation upon registration, with the requirement to fulfill the final accreditation requirements later. These rules will become binding on all practitioners in the sector after a specified period following their publication in the Official Gazette.
