Draft Amendments to National Dust Control Regulations Published for Comment

Posted 16 May 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental Law

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment has gazetted draft amendments to the National Dust Control Regulations for public comment. Once finalised and in force, the amended regulations will repeal and replace the National Dust Control Regulations, 2013.

In terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, No. 39 of 2004, the Minister has invited representations or comments on the proposed revisions. The draft regulations seek to update the standards and procedures for monitoring and controlling dust emissions that may impact human health or the environment.

Key Regulatory Changes

  • The formal repeal of the National Dust Control Regulations published under Government Notice No. R. 827 of 1 November 2013.
  • Revised requirements for the establishment and implementation of dustfall monitoring programmes.
  • Updated reporting protocols for submitting dustfall monitoring results to the relevant air quality officer.
  • Clarification of compliance requirements for dustfall rates in both residential and non-residential areas.

Stakeholders and interested parties have until 15 June 2025 to submit written comments on the draft amendments to the Department. Failure to comply with the final regulations, once enacted, will constitute an offence under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, No. 39 of 2004.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Environmental compliance officers must familiarise themselves with the proposed monitoring methodologies to ensure their professional certifications and technical knowledge remain current.
  • For your business: Industrial, mining, and construction firms must review their existing dust management plans against the draft standards to estimate potential capital expenditure for updated monitoring equipment.
  • For your clients: Clients in the property development or heavy industry sectors should be advised to submit comments by the 15 June 2025 deadline if the proposed dustfall rates impact their operational feasibility.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/dust-control-draft-amendment-regulations-out-for-comment

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.