The laws listed here are only the most important national laws that deal specifically with environmental issues. Provincial laws are not included.

LAND-USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

LAND REFORM

• Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights Act (No112 of 1991)
• Restitution of Land Rights Act (2No 2 of 1994)
• Land Reform (Labour Tenants) Act (No 3 of 1996)
• Communal Property Associations Act (No 28 of 1996)
• Interim Protection of Informal Land Rights Act (No 31 of 1996)
• Extension of Security of Tenure Act (No 62 of 1997)
• Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (No 19 of 1998)
• Communal Land Rights Act (No 11 of 2004)

PLANNING

• Local Government Transition Act (No 209 of 1993)
• Local Government: Municipal Structures Act (No 117 of 1998)
• Local Government: Municipal Systems Act (No 32 of 2000)
• National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (No 103 of 1977)
• Provincial Land Use Planning Ordinances
• Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (No 16 of 2013)

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

• National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998) (Chapter 5) and Government Notices 982, 983, 984 and 985 in Government Gazette No. 38282 of 4 December 2014
• Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (No 28 of 2002)
• Marine Living Resources Act (No 18 of 1998)
• National Water Act (No 36 of 1998)

PROTECTED AREAS

• National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No 57 of 2003)
• National Forests Act (No 36 of 1998)
• World Heritage Convention Act (No 49 of 1999)
• National Heritage Resources Act (No 25 of 1999)
• Marine Living Resources Act (No 18 of 1998)

THE COAST

• Maritime Zones Act (No 15 of 1994)
• ORV Regulations (GN R 1399 in Government Gazette No. 22960 dated 21 December 2001, as amended in 2004)
• National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (No 24 of 2008).

NATURAL RESOURCES

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

• Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of 1983)
• Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (36 of 1947)
• Agricultural Pests Act (36 of 1983)
• Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (54 of 1972) Subdivision of Agricultural Lands Act (70 of 1970)
• Sustainable Use of Agricultural Resources Bill (will repeal the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act)

BIODIVERSITY AND GENETIC MODIFICATION

• National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No 10 of 2004)
• National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill (2024)
• Genetically Modified Organisms Act (No 15 of 1997)
• Plant Breeders’ Rights Act (No 15 of 1976)
• Plant Improvement Act (No 53 of 1976)
• Animal Improvement Act (No 62 of 1998)
• Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No 43 of 1983)
• Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinances

WILD ANIMALS, FORESTS AND PLANTS

• Game Theft Act (No 105 of 1991)
• Animals Protection Act (No 71 of 1962)
• National Forests Act (No 84 of 1998)
• National Veld and Forest Fire Act (No 101 of 1998)