2014-05-30-fa5-national-framework-75c8ca9b70909c3a.pdf

The 2007 National Framework for Air Quality Management is a regulatory blueprint established by the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism under Section 7(1) of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (AQA). It provides a medium- to long-term plan to implement the AQA, focusing on pollution prevention at source and impact management to ensure ambient air is not harmful to health or well-being.

• The National Framework serves as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism's (DEAT) Air Quality Management Plan as required by Section 15(1) of the AQA. It binds all organs of state across all spheres of government and delineates responsibilities for implementing the Act.
• The framework establishes a '3D governance model' emphasizing vertical integration (between national, provincial, and local government) and horizontal integration (between different departments and stakeholders). Key coordination structures include MINMEC: Environment, MINTEC: Environment, and the Committee for Environmental Coordination (CEC).
• The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) is the national Lead Agent. The Minister's exclusive powers include establishing the National Framework, designating the national air quality officer, identifying substances that threaten health or the environment, and declaring national Priority Areas.
• Provincial environmental departments and their respective MECs are responsible for provincial air quality management. Their powers include designating provincial Air Quality Officers, preparing provincial Air Quality Management Plans (AQMPs), and declaring provincial Priority Areas if national standards are insufficient.
• The framework introduces the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), managed by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). SAAQIS is designed to provide stakeholders and the public with near real-time access to ambient air quality data, emission inventories, and legislation.
• Air quality areas are categorized into five classes based on their compliance with national ambient air quality standards: Class 1 (Green Zone) requires basic governance; Class 2 (Blue Zone) requires pre-emptive interventions; Class 3 (Purple Zone) requires sustained interventions; Class 4 (Orange Zone) requires immediate and sustained interventions; and Class 5 (Red Zone) must be declared national or provincial priority areas.
• The framework utilizes 'Listed Activities' to control industrial emissions. Activities identified as Listed Activities require an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL). The Minister must set minimum emission standards for these activities, based on the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) and Best Available Technology/Technique (BAT).
• The framework provides for the declaration of 'Controlled Emitters' (e.g., motor vehicles, small boilers) and 'Controlled Fuels' (e.g., tyres, spent pot linings) to manage widespread small-scale emissions and alternative fuels that threaten health or the environment.
• Compliance is enforced by Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs), known as 'Green Scorpions', who have powers of inspection and investigation. Penalties for offences under the AQA can include fines up to R 200,000 or imprisonment for up to ten years.
• The framework outlines a transition from the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (APPA) to the AQA. This includes converting APPA Registration Certificates into AELs and moving from ambient air quality guidelines to mandatory national ambient air quality standards.
• A five-year review process for the National Framework is established, featuring annual reports by the National Air Quality Officer, a Mid-Term Review in 2010, and an Independent Review by March 2012.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). 2014-05-30-fa5-national-framework-75c8ca9b70909c3a.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA5-National-Framework.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. 2014-05-30-fa5-national-framework-75c8ca9b70909c3a.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA5-National-Framework.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=2014-05-30-fa5-national-framework-75c8ca9b70909c3a.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA5-National-Framework.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnd20140530fa5nationalframework75c8ca9b70909c3apdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{2014-05-30-fa5-national-framework-75c8ca9b70909c3a.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA5-National-Framework.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }