An environmental assessment practitioner is an individual responsible for the planning, management, coordination or review of environmental impact assessments, strategic environmental assessments and environmental management programmes.

UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers. By using EIA both environmental and economic benefits can be achieved, such as reduced cost and time of project implementation and design, avoided treatment/clean-up costs and impacts of laws and regulations.

Although legislation and practice vary around the world, the fundamental components of an EIA would necessarily involve the following stages:

1. Screening to determine which projects or developments require a full or partial impact assessment study;
2. Scoping to identify which potential impacts are relevant to assess (based on legislative requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge and public involvement), to identify alternative solutions that avoid, mitigate or compensate adverse impacts on biodiversity (including the option of not proceeding with the development, finding alternative designs or sites which avoid the impacts, incorporating safeguards in the design of the project, or providing compensation for adverse impacts), and finally to derive terms of reference for the impact assessment;
3. Assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of alternatives, to predict and identify the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, including the detailed elaboration of alternatives;
4. Reporting the EIA report, including an environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical summary for the general audience.
5. Review of the EIA, based on the terms of reference (scoping) and public (including authority) participation.
6. Decision-making on whether to approve the project or not, and under what conditions; and
7. Monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental auditing. Monitor whether the predicted impacts and proposed mitigation measures occur as defined in the EMP. Verify the compliance of proponent with the EMP, to ensure that unpredicted impacts or failed mitigation measures are identified and addressed in a timely fashion.

As of 8 August 2022, only Registered EAPs can conduct and submit EIAs and associated environmental assessments in South Africa. EAPs are legally obliged under Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA); Section 24 G of NEMA; and Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) (NEMWA), to register with EAPASA to continue practicing in the environmental assessment sector in South Africa.

Professional Fees

Amount

Registration Assessment Fee: EAP

R 1500.00

Registration Assessment Fee: Candidate EAP

R 800.00

Annual Subscription: EAP

R 1200.00

Annual Subscription: Candidate EAP

R 600.00

Any person with the primary responsibility in environmental assessment should register to practice.  From 24h: “No person other than a registered  environmental assessment practitioner, may hold primary responsibility for the planning, management, coordination or review of environmental impact assessments and associated EMPrs.”  In the case of officials this is the person who scrutinises the report and drafts the authorisation.

Currently EAPASA issues a Letter of Registration. Certificates will be implemented in the near future

For Registered EAP, minimum three (3) years in conducting minimum of three (3) EIAs.

Yes. Foreign nationals that meet the requirements and have NEMA experience can Register with EAPASA.

You can Register as a Candidate EAP on the EAPASA Online Registration System

The Registration fee must be paid before the application is assessed.

Yes, Registered EAPs and Candidate EAPs must complete all 6 Core Competencies.

Student assignments and projects, research articles, university course content, which should be referenced accordingly.

Yes. It is.

 Applications will be assessed as follows:

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment principles will be incorporated
• This is the process of identifying what a person knows and can do by allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills
• RPL assessment principles will be used to assess applicants against the set of core competencies

EAPASA is intended to accommodate the range of professionals such as planners, environmental scientists and managers, engineers, and landscape architects, etc. practicing as EAPs.  To practice as an environmental assessment practitioner, particularly one holding primary responsibility, an EAP is required to register with an association appointed as the registration authority in terms of section 24H regulations of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act no. 107 of 1998).

Officials working in government who have the function of reviewing EIAs.
The range of professionals such as planners, environmental scientists, engineers, and landscape architects that are practicing as EAPs.
Note:  From 24h: “No person other than a registered  environmental assessment practitioner, may hold primary responsibility for the planning, management, coordination or review of environmental impact assessments and associated EMPrs.”

To be a registered environmental assessment practitioner

• Have the SAQA accredited qualification:  Certificate in Environmental Assessment Practice or be deemed competent, based on a Recognition of Prior Learning assessment.
• Have at least three years of appropriate professional experience within the last 10 years.
• Have undertaken at least 3 Environmental Impact Assessments or EIA Reviews, at an appropriate scale, conducted while you held primary responsibility.
• Demonstrate that Core Competencies have been met.

Candidate Environmental Assessment Practitioners are:
EAPs who have not met all the Core Competencies for whatever reason
Will be qualified to undertake work associated with, or contributing to EIAs, provided that such work is supervised, reviewed, and ‘signed off’ by a Registered EAP who would take responsibility for work carried out by a Candidate EAP
Candidate EAPs must adhere to the Code of Ethical Conduct and Practice applicable to all registered practitioners

The Board decided that there can be no automatic admittance to the register for anyone, including Board members!  While professionals that have been certified under previous voluntary and statutory systems will be encouraged to apply immediately when the Board is able to accept applications, everyone will need to follow the same process

According to Reg 24H, the Registration Body can only use 120 days from application acceptance to decision.
The application is accepted when the registrar indicates all information and fees are received.  
Assessors might identify information is still incomplete or insufficient. The applicant is asked to supplement, and the countdown to completion is paused until information is provided.

Your body of evidence should include three projects.
You are advised to provide evidence of your best projects -  not necessarily the most recent or the largest.  The projects should demonstrate competence in the required skills, and your specific role should be evident or clarified.

All registration applications are considered using Recognition of Prior Learning and your ability to demonstrate your experience and skill in core competencies.