Technologies overview Legislative Requirements
This section provides an overview of the policy and regulatory framework within the waste sector with particular reference to the 11 technologies presented in the Waste Treatment Guide. The aim is to enable a more efficient process for securing the required environmental approvals for alternative waste treatment projects under development.
Selected regulatory requirements for alternative waste treatment projects:
Subdivision of Agricultural Land Approval
Department of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries
Forestry and Fisheries
6 to 12 months
Building Plan Approval
Municipality
30- to 90 days
Construction Work Permit
Provincial Director of the Depertment of Labour
30 days
Land Use Approval
Municipality
1 year
Notification of Major Hazard Installation
Chief Inspector & Provincial
Director of the Department
of Labour & local authority
Director of the Department
of Labour & local authority
120 days
Appointment of
Health and Safety Representative
Health and Safety Representative
n/a
Establishment of
Health and Safety Committee
Health and Safety Committee
n/a
Notification of Construction work to Department of Labour
Provincial Director of the Department of Labour
7 days
Water Use Licence
Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation
1 to 4 years
Atmospheric Emissions Licence
District Municipality
(or Province where
this function has been delegated to the Province)
(or Province where
this function has been delegated to the Province)
1 to 2 years
Environmental Authorisation
Department of Environmental Affairs
1 to 3 years
Heritage Approval
South African
Heritage Resources Association
Heritage Resources Association
3 to 6 months
Waste Management Licence
Department of Environmental Affairs for hazardous waste and
1 to 3 years
Biodiversity Permit
Provincial Waste Management Authorities in the case of general waste
4 to 6 months (valid for 12 months)
Electricity Licence
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa established in terms of the National Energy Regulator Act, 2004 ("NERSA")
3 to 6 months
Gas Licence
The Gas Regulator established in terms
of NERSA
of NERSA
1 to 1.5 years
Petroleum Products Licence
The Controller of Petroleum Products
90 days to 1 year
