Know the importance of environmental licensing

THE licensing system is at the core of the implementation of a regulatory framework for the protection of the environment against pollution caused by emissions, discharges or disposal of wastes from a certain activities. In recent years, legislation on environmental permits has not only been implemented generally, but increasingly, in a more integrated approach in which environmental impacts are viewed as a whole.

Consequently, the relevant permits refer to all environmental impacts highlighted in the Environmental Management Plan.

Moreover, after the permit is granted and the environmental conditions enforced, monitoring follows and additional measures are taken if required.

Zimbabwe has adopted an environmental licensing process whereby industrial plants, mines and other enterprises or activities must apply for government permission in the form of licences granted by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to initiate and/or to continue their operation. The purpose of this process is to ensure an environmentally-sound operation of the facilities or activities.

Large releases of harmful substances and accidents such as the Harare, Sunningdale, fuel tanker burst of 2012, have demonstrated that the existence of a permitting system and enforcement of regulations are necessary to enhance the protection of both public health and the environment. Moreover, the amounts of pollutants have increased in Zimbabwe due to many factors including economic growth, and this has brought about new environmental issues and problems with implications for their socioeconomic as well as industrial sustainability.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) wishes to notify the public that in terms of the Environmental Management Act [CAP20:27] the following industrial activities require licensing: 1. Air pollution

Release Of Industrial Air Emissions One requires an Air Emission Licence in terms of section 64 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002. The requirements are emission survey report and completed application forms (AQ1). The licence is valid for one calendar year with submission of quarterly reports. 2. Water pollution

Discharge Of Effluent Water An Effluent Discharge Licence is required in terms of section 60 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002. The applicant is required to complete an application form (ESWD1) and provide a laboratory analysis report of effluent discharged at his/her premises. The licence is valid for one calendar year with submission of quarterly reports. 3. Hazardous substances

Storage/Use/Sale Of Hazardous Substances

A Hazardous Substances Importation/Storage/ Use/Sale licence in terms of section 8 - 9 of Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007 is required. One is required to complete application forms and provide certified copies of; certificate of incorporation and Identity Document of the manager. The licence is valid for one calendar year.

Transportation of hazardous substances One requires a Hazardous Substances Transportation Licence in terms of section 13, subsection 2 of Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007.

The applicant is required to; complete application forms, provide a certificate of fitness for the horse and the trailer as well as certified copies of certificate of incorporation, registration book of horse and trailer, Identity Document of manager and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

The licence is valid for one calendar year. The transit of hazardous substances through Zimbabwe also requires a transit licence in terms of section 14 of Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007.

Hazardous Waste Generation (used oil, fluorescent tubes)

A Hazardous Waste Licence in terms of section 3, subsection 1 of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2007 is required.

The requirements are; a completed application form and certified copies of certificate of incorporation and Identity Card of manager.

The licence is valid for one calendar year, with submission of quarterly reports. 4. Solid waste Solid Waste Disposal (landfills, dumps, saw dust)

A Solid Waste Disposal Licence in terms of section 71 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002 is required.

The applicant is required to complete an application form (ESWD). The licence is valid for one calendar year, with submission of quarterly reports.

Solid Waste Management Enterprises (scrap metal, waste paper etc.)

A Solid Waste Management Licence in terms of section 71 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002 is required.

The requirements are; completion of an application form, company profile and pictures of the vehicle, if applicable (front, rear, side).

The licence is valid for one calendar year, with submission of quarterly reports. 5. Ecosystem protection

Sand Abstraction One requires a Sand Abstraction Licence in terms of section 2, subsection 1 of Statutory Instrument 3 of 2011 as read with section 3 of Statutory Instrument 7of 2007.

The applicant is required to submit the completed form endorsed by the Local Authority, lessee or land owner.

An offer letter/title deeds/lease agreement of the area should be attached to the form.

The completed form and proof of land ownership together with an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should be submitted to EMA for review.

This licence is renewed quarterly with submission of quarterly reports.

Sand Transportation A Sand Transportation Licence in terms of Statutory Instrument 13 of 2011 as read with section 3 of Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 is required.

The requirements are; completed application forms, vehicle registration book and photographs of vehicle (front, back and sides). The licence is renewed quarterly. 6. Environmental Impact Assessment All projects that are listed in terms of Section 97 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002 as read with the First Schedule should not be implemented until an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate is granted by the Director General. These projects include; 1. Dams and man-made lakes. 2. Drainage and irrigation 3. Forestry 4. Housing developments 5. Industry 6. Infrastructure Developments 7. Prospecting, mining and quarrying 8. Petroleum production, storage distribution 9. Power generation and transmission 10. Tourist, resorts and recreational developments and 11. Waste treatment and disposal 12. Water supply Certificate renewal Certificates issued by the Director General are valid for 2 years. Thereafter a renewal is required in terms of Section 101, subsection 1 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002. Six (6) months prior to the expiration of the certificate, the project developer is required to renew his/her license if commencement of the project has not been completed within the stipulated period. The renewal process is as follows: a) Completion of the EMA C1 renewal form attach quarterly reports b) Payment of a prescribed fee c) Submission to the Agency for processing

The EIA renewal process takes at least a month.

Application forms are available from the Agency’s website www.ema.co.zw.