Free Tool — SSK Consulting

Air Quality Licence Screener

Does your project require an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEM:AQA, Act 39 of 2004)? Answer 5 quick questions to find out which scheduled process applies, who the competent authority is and what the process involves.

Disclaimer: This tool provides a general compliance indication only and does not constitute professional legal advice. Consult a registered air quality specialist or EAP for a formal determination.
Step 1 of 5

What type of activity or process does your project involve?

The NEM:AQA Schedule 1 (GN R893) lists all activities that constitute Scheduled Processes requiring an Atmospheric Emission Licence. Select the category that best describes your project.

🔥
Combustion & Energy Generation
Boilers, furnaces, generators, gas turbines, coal or biomass power plants
⛏️
Minerals Processing
Smelting, refining, cement, lime, brick kilns, ceramics, glass manufacturing
⚗️
Chemical & Petrochemical Industry
Chemical manufacture, petroleum refining, fertiliser production, pharmaceutical manufacturing
🔥
Waste Incineration & Treatment
Incineration of general, hazardous or healthcare waste; waste-to-energy facilities
🌾
Agricultural & Food Processing
Grain dryers, animal feed plants, abattoirs, feedlots, large composting operations
🏭
Other Industrial Activity
Metal works, surface treatment, printing, vehicle manufacturing, mining processing

What is the capacity or scale of the emitting process?

Thresholds in GN R893 determine whether an AEL is required and the category of the scheduled process. Larger capacity generally triggers more complex requirements.

💻
Small Scale
Below the GN R893 threshold for your activity type — likely exempt from AEL
🏭
Medium Scale
At or just above the minimum threshold — AEL likely required
🏭
Large Scale
Significantly above the threshold — AEL required with comprehensive monitoring
Unsure of Capacity Threshold
Not sure if the capacity exceeds the GN R893 threshold — need screening

What types of pollutants will be emitted?

The type and quantity of pollutants determines the monitoring requirements, emission standards and whether an air quality impact assessment (AQIA) is needed.

💨
Combustion Gases
SO₂, NOₓ, CO, CO₂, particulate matter from burning processes
🌧️
Dust & Particulates
Fugitive dust, PM10, PM2.5 from crushing, grinding, materials handling
☣️
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
Heavy metals, dioxins, furans, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene
💉
Odour & VOCs
Odorous compounds, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, solvents from processing
🔄
Multiple Pollutant Types
Combination of combustion gases, dust, HAPs or other pollutants
Unsure
Pollutant types not yet characterised — air quality assessment needed

Where is the facility located?

The competent authority for AEL applications is either the relevant municipality (for activities within a municipality's area of jurisdiction) or the provincial authority for activities in non-municipal areas.

🏙️
Within a Municipality
City, town or metropolitan area — municipality is competent authority
🌿
Rural / Non-Municipal Area
Outside municipal jurisdiction — provincial authority is competent authority
🌎
National Competence Activity
Activity of national significance — DFFE is competent authority (e.g. nuclear, large power plants)

Is the area within a Priority Area declared under NEM:AQA?

Priority Areas have been declared in Highveld, Vaal Triangle and Waterberg-Bojanala due to poor air quality. Facilities in these areas face stricter emission standards and monitoring requirements.

⛰️
Highveld Priority Area
Mpumalanga/Gauteng highveld — includes most coal power stations and industrial areas
🏭
Vaal Triangle Priority Area
Southern Gauteng / Northern Free State industrial corridor
🌳
Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area
Limpopo/North West — coal mining and power generation area
Not Within a Priority Area
Facility is outside all declared NEM:AQA Priority Areas
AEL Requirements & Competent Authority
Applicable Scheduled Processes — GN R893
Scheduled ProcessActivity CategoryAEL RequiredCompetent Authority
Applicable Legislation & Standards

Need Help With Your AEL Application?

SSK Consulting's registered air quality specialists can confirm your scheduled process category, compile your AEL application, conduct dispersion modelling and manage the entire licence process with the relevant competent authority.

Ask an EAP