New National Norms and Standards for Environmental Health Services Published

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Health has repealed and replaced the December 2015 national norms and standards for environmental health services to modernise public health oversight and compliance requirements.

In terms of the National Health Act, No. 61 of 2003, the Minister of Health has published the new National Norms and Standards for Environmental Health Services in Government Gazette 50692, under Government Notice 4847. These standards are effective immediately and apply to all environmental health services provided by both the public and private sectors.

The updated framework provides comprehensive requirements for the monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of environmental factors that may impact human health. Key areas of focus within the new standards include:

• Food Safety: Enhanced protocols for the monitoring and control of food premises and products.
• Water Quality: Standards for monitoring water quality intended for human consumption and recreational use.
• Waste Management: Requirements for the handling, storage, and disposal of general and health care risk waste.
• Health Surveillance of Premises: Mandatory inspections for residential, commercial, and public buildings.
• Offensive Trades: Specific regulations for business activities that create nuisances, including bad smells, excessive noise, or dust pollution.
• Disposal of the Dead: Standards for funeral parlours, crematoria, and cemeteries.
• Chemical Safety: Oversight of the storage and handling of hazardous chemical substances.

The standards also clarify the role of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in enforcing compliance and conducting health impact assessments. Businesses categorised under ‘offensive trades’ must ensure they meet the specific public health and safety regulations outlined in the notice to mitigate environmental nuisances.

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

• For yourself: If you are a registered Environmental Health Practitioner, you must immediately align your inspection and reporting protocols with the updated criteria set out in Government Notice 4847.
• For your business: Firms involved in waste management, food production, or ‘offensive trades’ must audit their current facilities against the new standards to ensure continued compliance and avoid potential health-related litigation or closure orders.
• For your clients: Clients in the property development or industrial sectors must incorporate these norms into their environmental management plans and ensure that all new premises meet the health surveillance requirements before commencing operations.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/environmental-health-national-norms-standards-replaced