5.1.4 Horizontal assignment of responsibilities

5.1.4(1)
In considering the horizontal assignment of roles, it is important to understand how the provisions of the Waste Act interface with and build on the regulatory provisions of other pieces of related legislation. This policy harmonisation exercise also needs to draw on the Inter-governmental Relations Framework.

5.1.4(2)
Department of Trade and Industry: the dti has a crucial role to play in relation to the overall system of industry regulation, and the utilisation of various mechanisms and capacities within the dti for implementing the Waste Act. The implementation of the system of norms and standards will require the support of the Technical Infrastructure under the dti, as described in Section 3.2. This system will be used to determine standards for products in relation to packaging and recycling as well as the provision of waste services, and ensure their measurement and certification. In order to achieve this, the waste management sector will need to be identified as a lead sector by the dti.

5.1.4(3)
Other issues that require the involvement of the dti include the declaration of priority wastes and implementation of EPR schemes; the implications of the Consumer Protection Act for waste management; the promotion of recycling schemes and the implications of competition policy for the provision and sub-contracting of waste services by municipalities.

5.1.4(4)
National Treasury: The National Treasury has a crucial role to play in managing the overall system of taxation, and in implementing taxation measures that support the goals and objectives of the NWMS. National Treasury must also be consulted where the economic implications of measures with respect to a priority waste are potentially significant. National Treasury plays an important role in determining budget allocations for waste management functions at national level, and in addressing the fiscal mechanisms required for implementation of waste services and accessing of grants.

5.1.4(5)
South African Revenue Services: In terms of the prohibition and restrictions on the import, export and selling of priority wastes, it is important that declarations of priority wastes are aligned with the product codes maintained by SARS in the Schedules to the Customs and Excise Acts.

5.1.4(6)
Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs: National and provincial government must provide support to municipalities with respect to their executive responsibilities, including delivery of services.  This support needs to be co-ordinated with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.  The Department also has an important role to play in ensuring that the Municipal Infrastructure Grant can be accessed for the development and upgrading of municipal landfill sites, many of which are not compliant or unlicensed. The Department must provide guidance and oversight to municipalities and the provinces with respect to the incorporation of Integrated Waste Management Plans into Integrated Development Plans.

5.1.4(7)
Department of Water Affairs:  There are three important areas that require the input and co-operation from the Department of Water Affairs, as they form concurrent mandates, namely:

  • Integrated waste disposal licenses that include water use licenses.
  • Contaminated land and its remediation.
  • The management and disposal of sewage sludge emanating from wastewater treatment facilities.

5.1.4(8)
Other government departments that have important role to play in implementing the NWMS include:

  • The Department of International Relations, which must lead South Africa’s engagement in multilateral forums that address sustainable development and waste management issues.
  • The Department of Mineral Resources plays a key role in regulating waste management in the mining sector, which includes addressing waste management issues in relation to residue deposits and stockpiles which fall outside the ambit of the Waste Act, and the remediation of land contaminated by mining activities.
  • The Department of Health has an important role to play in addressing health care risk waste and in advising DEA and provincial departments on the appropriate standards and measures to be applied to the sector.