National Environmental Management Act, 1998.

Country/Territory: South Africa
Document type: Legislation
Date: 1998 (2009)
Source: FAO, FAOLEX
Long title: An Act to provide for co-operative environmental governance by establishing principles for decision-making on matters affecting the environment, institutions that will promote cooperative governance and procedures for co-ordinating environmental functions exercised by organs of state; to provide for certain aspects of the administration and enforcement of other environmental management laws and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Subject: Environment gen., Water
Keyword: Framework law Institution Environmental planning Dispute settlement Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Governance Enforcement/compliance Offences/penalties EIA Cultural heritage Policy/planning Freshwater pollution Pollution control
Geographical area: Africa, South Atlantic, Southern Africa

Abstract: This Act sets out principles for environmental governance and provides with respect to an institutional framework for environment protection in South Africa. It also provides with respect to implementation of international agreements and compliance and enforcement in general. The Act consists of 53 sections divided into 10 Chapters and an interpretation section.
Full text: English
Website: www.enviroleg.co.za

References - Legislation

Amends

Environment Conservation Act. No. 73 OF 1989.

Legislation | South Africa | 1989 (2009)

Keyword: Framework law, Protected area, Institution, Authorization/permit, Ecosystem preservation, Pollution control, EIA, Noise pollution, Marine protected areas, Marine area, Waste management, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Implemented by

Environmental Implementation and Management Plan (EIMP) 2015/2020.

Legislation | South Africa | 2015

Keyword: Pollution control, Waste management, Recycling/reuse, Environmental planning, Poverty, Authorization/permit, Biodiversity, Coastal zone management, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, PIC-prior informed consent, Cultural heritage

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24 and 240 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. R. 387 of 2006).

Legislation | South Africa | 2006

Keyword: EIA, Mining

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations for the establishment of a Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism (No. R. 721 of 2005).

Legislation | South Africa | 2005

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Ozone layer, Institution, Pollution control, Climate change

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations Establishing a Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism (No. R. 1478 of 2004).

Legislation | South Africa | 2004

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Ozone layer, Institution, Climate change, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations relating environment impact assessment (No. R. 385 of 2006).

Legislation | South Africa | 2006

Keyword: EIA, Environmental planning, Access-to-information, Authorization/permit, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations relating to qualification criteria, training and identification of, and forms to be used by, environmental management inspectors (No. R. 494 of 2006).

Legislation | South Africa | 2006

Keyword: Institution, Inspection, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24 and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. R. 386 of 2006).

Legislation | South Africa | 2006

Keyword: Agricultural development, EIA, Aquaculture, Mariculture, Erosion, Waterworks

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Act: Sub-delegation of authority to issue permits relating to bioprospecting activities involving indigenous biological resources and export from South Africa of indigenous biological resources for purposes of bio-prospecting (No. R. 147 of 2012).

Legislation | South Africa | 2012

Keyword: Biodiversity, Genetic resources, Research, International trade, Authorization/permit, Access and benefit-sharing

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations in Terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. R. 385 of 2006).

Legislation | South Africa | 2006

Keyword: Pollution control, Authorization/permit, EIA, Data collection/reporting, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010: Listing Notice 1: List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D (No. R. 544 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: EIA, Institution, Coastal zone management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010: Listing Notice 2: List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D (No. R. 545 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: EIA, Institution, Coastal zone management, Mining

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Management Act, 1998: Environmental Management Framework Regulations, 2010 (No. R. 547 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: EIA, Institution, Protected area, Access-to-information

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environment Impact Assessment Regulations (No. R. 543 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: EIA, Environmental planning, Access-to-information, Authorization/permit, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Institution, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Model Air Quality By-law (No. 579 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Environmental standards, Pollution control, Standards, Protection of environment

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Act (107/1998): Admission of Guilt Fines Regulations (No. R. 75 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Protected area, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010: Listing Notice 3: List of activities and competent authorities identified in terms of sections 24(2) and 24D (No. R. 546 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: EIA, Institution, Coastal zone management, Protected area, Wetlands, Ecosystem preservation, Biodiversity

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations relating to qualification criteria, training and identification of, and forms to be used by, environmental management inspectors (R. 494 of 2006).

Legislation | South Africa | 2006

Keyword: Inspection, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations relating to identification of environmental management inspectors (No. R. 619 of 2005).

Legislation | South Africa | 2005

Keyword: Inspection, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management: Waste Act: Fee structure for applications for environmental authorisations and waste management licences (No. R. 784 of 2011).

Legislation | South Africa | 2011

Keyword: Environmental fees/charges, EIA, Waste management, Authorization/permit

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations in terms of section 44 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998): Control of Vehicles in the Coastal Zone.

Legislation | South Africa | 2001

Keyword: Protected area, Coastal zone management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Act: Fees for consideration and processing of applications for environmental authorisations and amendments thereto (No. R. 141 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Environmental fees/charges, EIA, Registration

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Exemption Regulations, 2014 (No. R. 994 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environment Impact Assessment Regulations (No. R. 982 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Environmental planning, Access-to-information, Authorization/permit, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Monitoring, Environmental audit, Public participation, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations pertaining to the Financial Provision for the Rehabilitation and Closure and Post Closure of Prospecting, Exploration, Mining or Production Operations, 2014 (GN 940 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Soil rehabilitation, Liability/compensation, Mining, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations to phase-out the use of PCB materials and PCB contaminated materials, 2014 (No. R. 549 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Ozone layer, Hazardous substances, International trade, Registration, Policy/planning, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations pertaining to the Financial Provisioning for the Rehabilitation and Management of Negative Environmental Impacts Associated with Prospecting, Exploration, Mining and the Production of a Mineral, 2014 (GN 940 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Soil rehabilitation, Mining, Liability/compensation, Policy/planning, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 3 of 2014 (No. R. 985 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Institution, Coastal zone management, Water supply, Waterworks, Protected area, Wetlands, Ecosystem preservation, Biodiversity

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Appeal Regulations, 2014 (No. R. 993 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Pollution control, EIA, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Biodiversity

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 1 of 2014 (No. R. 983 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Institution, Coastal zone management, Pollution control, Mining, Mariculture, Waterworks, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Biodiversity

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 2 of 2014 (No. R. 984 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Nuclear energy, Coastal zone management, Soil pollution/quality, Radiation, Pollution control, Afforestation/reforestation, Forest management/forest conservation, Hazardous substances, Waterworks, Sewerage, Effluent waste water/discharge, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations relating to qualification criteria, training and identification of, and forms to be used by, environmental management inspectors and Environmental Mineral Resource Inspectors (No. R. 480 of 2017).

Legislation | South Africa | 2017

Keyword: Institution, Inspection, Enforcement/compliance, Sustainable development

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Section 24G Fine Regulations (No. R. 698 of 2017).

Legislation | South Africa | 2017

Keyword: Pollution control, Environmental fees/charges, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations no. 3072 of 2023. Domestication of requirements of Rotterdam Convention on prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.

Legislation | South Africa | 2023

Keyword: Enforcement/compliance, Hazardous substances, International relations/cooperation, International trade, Offences/penalties, Pesticides, PIC-prior informed consent, Procedural matters, Protection of environment, Public health, Data collection/reporting

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Generic Environmental Management Programme for Working for Water Programme n.106/2021.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Authorization/permit, Institution, Offences/penalties, Procedural matters, Registration, Risk assessment/management, Freshwater resources management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations to domesticate the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, 2021, no. 413.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Authorization/permit, Classification/declassification, Environmental planning, Hazardous substances, Internal trade, International trade, Offences/penalties, Pesticides, PIC-prior informed consent, Protection of environment, Public health, Transport/storage, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations Prohibiting the Production, Distribution, Import, Export, Sale and Use of Persistent Organic Pollutants that are listed by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 2021, no. 414.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Hazardous substances, Internal trade, International trade, Offences/penalties, Protection of environment, Public health, Transport/storage, Use restrictions, Waste management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Identification of Geographical Areas important for the Development of Strategic Gas Transmission Pipelines Infrastructure. Notice no. 143/2021.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Environmental planning, Natural gas, Policy/planning, Zoning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Identification of Geographical Areas of Strategic Importance for the Development of Large Scale Wind and Solar Photovoltaic Energy Facilities. Notice no. 144/2021.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Renewable energy, Zoning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Act: Regulations: Adoption of spatial tools or environmental management instruments (No. R. 542 of 2019).

Legislation | South Africa | 2019

Keyword: Environmental planning, EIA, Registration, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Policy/planning, Land-use planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Amended by

National Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2008 (No. 62 of 2008).

Legislation | South Africa | 2009

Keyword: Institution, EIA, Enforcement/compliance, Registration, Liability/compensation, Residues, Minerals, Mining, Oil

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environment Laws Amendment Act, 2008 (No. 44 of 2008).

Legislation | South Africa | 2008

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Pollution control, Institution, Inspection, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004).

Legislation | South Africa | 2005

Keyword: Pollution control, Air quality/air pollution, Emissions, Institution, Environmental planning, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties, Basic legislation, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management (Amendment) Act 2002 (No. 56 of 2002).

Legislation | South Africa | 2002

Keyword: Pollution control, Institution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management (Amendment) Act (No. 46 of 2003).

Legislation | South Africa | 2003

Keyword: Institution, Enforcement/compliance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management (Amendment) Act 2004 (No. 8 of 2004).

Legislation | South Africa | 2004

Keyword: Institution, EIA, Enforcement/compliance, Registration

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Laws Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 14 of 2009).

Legislation | South Africa | 2009

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Authorization/permit, Pollution control, Biosafety, Biosecurity, Institution, Inspection, Genetically modified organism (GMO), Offences/penalties, Biodiversity, Genetic resources

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Act: Amendment to Schedules 1 and 2 (No. 152 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Institution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice amending the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. 731 of 2012).

Legislation | South Africa | 2012

Keyword: Offences/penalties, Liability/compensation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Laws Second Amendment Act, 2013 (No. 30 of 2013).

Legislation | South Africa | 2013

Keyword: Sustainable development, Pollution control, Environmental planning, Authorization/permit, Institution, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2014 (No. 25 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: EIA, Mining, Exploration, Authorization/permit, Pollution control, Waste disposal, Waste management, Waste prevention, Policy/planning, Institution, Tax/levy

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, No. 2 of 2022.

Legislation | South Africa | 2022

Keyword: Air quality/air pollution, Public health, Pollution control, Emissions, Environmental audit, Environmental planning, Authorization/permit, EIA, Inspection, Risk assessment/management, Traditional knowledge/indigenous knowledge, Governance, Protection of environment, Public participation, Registration, Waste management, Resource/damage valuation, Offences/penalties, Residues, Policy/planning, Minerals, Mining, Hazardous waste, Waste domestic sources, Soil rehabilitation, Freshwater resources management, Ecosystem preservation, Biodiversity, Protection of species, Animal welfare, Alien species

Source: FAO, FAOLEX