NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT 10 OF 2004: DRAFT NATIONAL NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR THE RECOGNITION OF OTHER EFFECTIVE AREA-BASED CONSERVATION MEASURES
Notice Title: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (“NEMBA”): Draft National Norms and Standards for the Recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures
Government Notice: GN 7123 in GG 54123 on 13 February 2026
Commencing date: Comments to be submitted on or before 16 March 2026
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, in terms of section 9 read with sections 99 and 100 of the NEMBA publish the draft National Norms and Standards for the recognition of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (the draft Norms and Standards for OECMs), for public comment.
The purpose of the draft Norms and Standards for OECMs is:
- To set clear minimum requirements for the recognition of OECMs in South Africa; and
- to establish procedures for the assessment of areas that could qualify as OECMs.
These draft Norms and Standards for OECMs are based on the key components of the definition of OECM, including the guiding principles and criteria for the identification of OECMs. They also set out some key principles that must be considered when identifying which conservation measures qualify as OECMs in South Africa.
Members of the public are invited to submit comments on or before 16 March 2026. For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act: National Norms and Standards for the Recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures: Comments invited
For more information or assistance please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za.
