The National Environmental Management Act revolutionized environmental law in South Africa.  A drive towards conserving the environment and monitoring environmental performance has increases over the years.

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 behavior and actions of operational personnel in the field of environmental management.