Environmental Assessment Practitioners provided with extension in which to register with EAPASA – but EAPs strongly encouraged to register in interim
21 August 2020
On 21 August 2020 the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries amended Regulation 22 of the Section 24H Registration Authority Regulations.
The amendment extends the period in which all environmental impact assessment practitioners (EAPs) must register with the Environmental Assessment Practitioner Association of South Africa (EAPASA) which is the appointed authority. EAPs must now register with EAPASA before 8 February 2022.
However, the Minister strongly encouraged all EAPs to register with EAPASA before this date.
Where Regulation 22 (2) previously provided that all EAPS must be registered with EAPASA within 24 months from the date of commencement of that section, the amendment provides for registration within 48 months now.
After 8 February 2022, only registered EAPs may plan, manage, coordinate and review environmental impact assessments and associated environmental management programmes.
Previously, on 24 January 2020, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries published her intention to amend the Section 24H Registration Authority Regulations, 2016 (January 2020).