Parliament Passes Marine Oil Pollution and Public Service Amendment Bills

Posted 04 December 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Parliament

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: Parliament has passed and sent the Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response & Co-operation) Bill and the Public Service Amendment Bill to President Cyril Ramaphosa for signature.

The Marine Oil Pollution (Preparedness, Response & Co-operation) Bill, originally tabled in March 2022, provides the legislative framework to give effect to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990. The Bill formalises domestic requirements for oil spill preparedness and response, following the release of draft regulatory proposals for public comment in November 2024.

Key objectives of the Bill include:

  • Establishing a national preparedness and response system for oil pollution incidents;
  • Mandating oil pollution emergency plans for ships, offshore units, seaports, and oil handling facilities; and
  • Facilitating international co-operation and mutual assistance in the event of major spills.

Public Service Amendment Bill

The Public Service Amendment Bill, tabled in May 2023, amends the Public Service Act, No. 103 of 1994. The Bill seeks to clarify the functional responsibilities of executive authorities and heads of department, particularly regarding administrative and human resource management. It further aims to enhance the professionalisation of the public service by refining the appointment processes for senior management and clarifying the role of the Director-General in the Presidency.

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

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is channelled through professional advisory roles regarding administrative law and maritime compliance.
  • For your business: Maritime and logistics firms must review existing oil spill contingency plans against the new statutory requirements to ensure alignment before the commencement date is proclaimed.
  • For your clients: Public sector entities and government departments must prepare for a shift in delegated powers between Ministers and Directors-General as mandated by the amended Public Service Act, No. 103 of 1994.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/parliament-marine-oil-pollution-public-service-bills-passed

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