26 AUGUST 2020
Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) have until 7 February 2022 to register with a registration authority appointed by the Minister.
The extension of 24 months, from the present deadline of 8 February 2020, was published in Government Gazette No. 43632 (Notice No. 906) by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, on 21 August 2020. The amendment of Regulation 22 of the Section 24H Registration Authority Regulations was promulgated following public input.
The extension of 24 months, from the present deadline of 8 February 2020, was published in Government Gazette No. 43632 (Notice No. 906) by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, on 21 August 2020. The amendment of Regulation 22 of the Section 24H Registration Authority Regulations was promulgated following public input.
The additional time allows for the facilitation of additional applications and for the processing of applications received by the appointed registration authority.
The Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) was appointed on 8 February 2018 in terms of Section 24H of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
The Regulations guiding the work of the sector provide that no person other than a registered environmental assessment practitioner may hold primary responsibility for the planning, management, coordination or review of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and associated Environmental Management Programmes (EMPrs).
Apart from the need to provide more time for environmental assessment practitioners (EAPs) to register, it has become clear that other amendments to the Regulations will be required. This will be necessary to provide clarity on some aspects contained in the Regulations in order to make the implementation thereof more efficient.
All non-registered EAPs are strongly encouraged to submit their applications for registration with the registration authority before the next deadline.
To access the Notice, please click on the following link: https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nema_section24Hregistrationauthority_g43632gon906.pdf
For media inquiries contact Albi Modise on 083 490 2871
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY