The bulk of the provisions contained in the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022, (NEMLAA 2022) have been proclaimed and came into effect on 30 June 2023. The coming into force of the NEMLAA 2022 follows its publication on 24 June 2022.

The NEMLAA 2022 amends the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) as well as several specific environmental management acts, namely: the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003); the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA); the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004);  the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008); and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008). It also contains amendments to the National Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2008 (Act No. 62 of 2008) and the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2014 (Act No. 25 of 2014).

Besides correcting and clarifying definitions and measures related to the making and adoption of environmental management instruments, appeal processes and financial provisioning requirements, it also sets new requirements related to NEMA section 24G applications for environmental authorisation and waste management licenses.

Please follow the link below for addtional information 

https://www.dffe.gov.za/mediarelease/nationalenvironmentalmanagement_lawsamendmentactproclaimed