12 Dec 2014 News
Supreme Court of Appeal: “No room for secrecy” when it comes to the environment
Local communities neighbouring industries, are often negatively impacted by pollution caused by those industries. Due to the many industries in and around the Vaal Triangle, the area has become...
27 Nov 2014 News
“One Environmental System” – the New Environmental Authorisation Regime (SA)
I attended the Department of Environmental Affairs (“DEA”) public open day on the proposed “One Environmental System” on 17 November 2014. The One Environmental System (“OES”) is essentially the...
20 Nov 2014 Management standards, News
Transitioning an EMS to ISO 14001:2015 (learn about ISO 14001 changes)
ISO 14001, a highly successful International Management Standard for environmental management systems, is undergoing change. ISO 14001:2015 currently in Draft format, is expected to come into effect...
19 Nov 2014 News
Phasing-out of ozone-depleting substances in South Africa
The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 39 of 2004: Regulations Regarding the Phasing-out and Management of Ozone-Depleting Substances, GN 351, GG 37621 of 8 May 2014 (the “Regulations”),...
6 Nov 2014 News
Proposed NEMA Regs: financial provision – rehabilitation, closure and post closure
On 31 October 2014, the Minister of Environmental Affairs published notice of her intention to make regulations pertaining to the financial provision for the rehabilitation and management of negative...
20 Oct 2014 News
SCA judgment: employer liability for harm to an employee, but not in terms of COIDA
The recent Supreme Court of Appeal (the “SCA”) judgement MEC for The Department of Health, Free State Province v D (924/2013) ZASCA 167 (8 October 2014), delivered on...
Environmental compliance enforcement activities increase in the 2013/14 period
The Department of Environmental Affairs (the “Department”) released its National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report 2013/14 (the “Report”) on 08 October 2014. The Report provides a national overview of...
31 Jul 2014 News
Case Report: Eskom’s non-compliance with Minimum Emission Standards
On 21 May 2014, Sasol Synfuels (Pty) Ltd, National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) and Sasol Chemiese Nywerhede Beperk, launched review proceedings, in the North Gauteng High Court, seeking...
17 Feb 2014 News
Director of Mining Company Held Personally Liable for Damage to the Environment
The Centre for Environmental Rights (the “CER”) has reported that, on 31 January 2014, the Naphuno Regional Court in the Limpopo Province sentenced the managing director of Blue Platinum Ventures...
15 Jan 2014 News
Interview with Lynn Schouw: Changes to ISO 9001, 14001 and related standards
On 28 August 2013, The International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”) published an article entitled “ISO 9001:2015 and beyond – Preparing for the next 25 years of quality management standards”...
15 Jan 2014 News
Interview with Lynn Schouw: Changes to ISO 9001, 14001 and related standards
On 28 August 2013, The International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”) published an article entitled “ISO 9001:2015 and beyond – Preparing for the next 25 years of quality management standards”...
7 Oct 2013 News
Personal and Criminal Liability of Companies, Directors and Employees for Contravening Environmental Legislation
Recent case law suggests an increase in the enforcement of environmental law provisions and the use of both administrative penalties and criminal sentences against companies who fail to comply...