Proposed Amendments to NEMAQA's Emission Standards
SHE Alert 26, 29 August 2025
Publication of the proposed Amendments to the listed activities and associated minimum emission standards identified in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 (“NEMAQA”)
On 29 August 2025, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published a Notice of his intention to amend the list of activities which result in atmospheric emissions which have or may have a significant detrimental effect on the environment, as published under GNR 893 in GG No. 37054 of 22 November 2013 ("current Regulations").
The purpose of the proposed amendments is to address the regulatory shortfalls that were identified in the current Regulations. The proposed amendments are required for purposes of:
Improving the efficacy of implementation of the licensing and reporting functions;
Strengthening the pollution prevention and minimizing the emissions from the listed activities identified in terms of section 21 of the NEMAQA;
Providing clarity for improvement and interpretation; and
Implementing court orders on specific sections.
Members of the public are invited to submit written comments within 30 days from the date of publication of the notice in the Government Gazette (i.e. on or before 28 September 2025).