The Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) provides for air quality management and emission standards in South Africa.
The AQA governs air quality management.
Key provisions:
- National ambient air quality standards
- Listed activities requiring atmospheric emission licences
- Emission limits and monitoring
- Air quality management plans
- Priority areas (Vaal Triangle, Highveld)
- Controlled emitters and fuels
- Dust, noise, and odour control regulations
- Offences for unlawful emissions
- Public participation in licensing
- Compliance monitoring and enforcement
air qualityemissionspollutionatmospheric licencedustindustrial emissions
NEMBA (Act 10 of 2004) provides for the management and conservation of South Africa's biodiversity and threatened species.
NEMBA protects South Africa's biodiversity.
Key provisions:
- National biodiversity framework
- Protection of threatened and protected species (TOPS)
- Species listing and permitting
- Alien and invasive species management
- Bioprospecting regulation
- Biodiversity offsets
- Protected areas expansion strategy
- CITES implementation (endangered species trade)
- Offences related to illegal wildlife trade
- Enforcement by Green Scorpions
The National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) governs water resource management, water use licensing, and pollution prevention.
The National Water Act regulates water resources.
Key provisions:
- National water resource strategy
- Water use licensing and authorisation
- Schedule 1 water uses (limited without licence)
- General authorisations and individual licences
- Water pollution prevention and control
- Catchment management agencies
- Water user associations
- Reserve: Basic human needs and ecological reserve
- Remediation of water damage
- Offences and penalties