New NEMWA norms and standards for health care risk waste proposed

SHE Alert 2, 4 February 2026

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has published draft National Norms and Standards for the Transportation, Storage, and Treatment of Health Care Risk Waste in terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 59 of 2008 ("NEMWA") for public comment.

Once finalised, these Norms and Standards are expected to introduce uniform and legally binding requirements under NEMWA for the management of health care risk waste, with direct implications for health care risk waste generators, transporters and managers (treatment facilities).

The draft framework aims to regulate the full life-cycle of health care risk waste, including segregation, storage, transportation controls, treatment standards and record-keeping obligations. The proposed Norms and Standards signal a shift towards tighter compliance, increased accountability across the value chain and reduced reliance on fragmented provincial requirements.

Clients impacted by the proposed Norms and Standards should assess their current practices and consider submitting comments, particularly where operational feasibility, transitional arrangements or alignment with existing licences may be impacted. Our SHE-Legal team is monitoring the process closely and available to assist clients with comparative assessments and submissions during the public participation period.