SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the regulatory framework for environmental management 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264458  Explain the regulatory framework for environmental management 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Environmental Science, Env Mgt and Waste Mgt 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of this standard is for learners to understand the regulatory framework that governs all matters pertaining to the environment. There is a plethora of important environmental legislation that governs a large number of activities in the economy. Importantly, the learner also acquires not only a legal understanding of environmental issues but begins to appreciate how the legal aspect impacts on our personal understanding of the environment. This standard encapsulates the important details regarding environmental legislation; it is not intended to cover the entire legislation around environmental matters. It is intended to govern the behaviour and actions of operational personnel in the field of environmental management.

Learners credited with this standard will be capable of:
  • Describing the role of the Constitution in environmental law in the country.
  • Explaining the impact of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) on the environment.
  • Identifying and explaining other related South African legislation pertaining to the environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the role of the Constitution in environmental law in the country. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concepts of the state, society and the law are explained in relation to the Constitution and the relationships between them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is explained in terms of its status as the most important legal document of the country. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    The focus should be on the Bill of Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relevant sections pertaining to the environment in the Constitution are identified and discussed to show how the Constitution forms the basis of other legislation for the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Section includes but is not limited to Section 24.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the impact of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) on the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The NEMA is discussed and evaluated in terms of its importance and significance in the preservation of the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The national environment management principles contained in the NEMA are explained in terms of how they form the basis for most of the work pertaining to the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sections of the NEMA that regulate organisational/human behaviour are identified and explained in terms of how they can demonstrate individual and collective responsibility for the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and explain other legislation pertaining to the environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to the Water Act and the Environment Conservation Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The current legislation and policies pertaining to the environment are examined in terms of their relationships to the legal framework for the environment and their impact on the environmental sector. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to Acts related to water, air, land and land use planning, biodiversity, waste, mining, hazardous substances and any other relevant environmental legislation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose and key definitions in these Acts are explained in regard to their obligations, authorisations to be obtained and offences that can occur against the acts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationships and linkages between these Acts are explored and their impact on environmental work explained so that a holistic approach to the environment is developed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Strengths and weaknesses of the legislation are identified and discussed to identify opportunities and challenges within the regulatory environment. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
  • National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
  • Acts related to water, air, land and land use planning, biodiversity, waste, mining, hazardous substances.
  • Environmental Policies and Regulations.
  • The inter-relationship between the acts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Distinguishing between the purpose, definitions, and the relevant contents of the various Acts.
  • Distinguishing between the various concepts pertaining to law in general and environment legislation in particular. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Discussing the role of the Constitution in environmental law.
  • Identifying and explaining the legislation pertaining to the environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Understand the importance, scope and impact of environmental legislation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66789   National Certificate: Environmental Management  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Giamanje TVET College 
    2. Jobafrik Consulting 
    3. Josmap Training Institute 
    4. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    5. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    6. Tasc Business Consulting and Training 
    7. Thando Consulting Services 
    8. Timothy Fasheun Group Enviromentors (Pty) Ltd 
    9. Transafric Consulting Pty Ltd 
    10. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.