FAQ

Frequently asked questions

1WHAT IS EMA?

The Environmental Management Agency is a statutory body responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and environmental degradation, the preparation of Environmental Plans for the management and protection of the environment. It was established under the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and enacted in 2002.

2WHAT IS EMS?

Environmental Management Services Department – EMS is mandated to collect, produce and disseminate environmental information to society. Key to its operations is stakeholder participation and engendering the spirit of stewardship within the society.

3WHAT IS EMA LAW?

Environmental Management Act / EMA Act, 2002 provides for the establishment of an appropriate legal and institutional framework for the management of the environment and related matters. It is a framework environmental legislation that establishes appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms for the management of the environment. It provides for improved legal and administrative co-ordination of the diverse sectoral initiatives in order to improve the national capacity for the management of the environment. This is in view of the fact that the environment constitutes the foundation of national economic, social, cultural and spiritual advancement.

4HOW DO I JOIN THE DISCUSSION FORUM?

The discussion forum is currently not functional. If you wish to be notified once it comes online, kindly subscribe to our email newsletter here

5HOW DO I SUBMIT A COMPLAINT?

To raise matters to the attention of our administration simply access the complaints and feedback portal here. If you wish to share a direct link via which one people can complain: https://www.ema.co.zw/index.php/agency/whistle-blowers-portal

6FOR WHICH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IS AN EMA LICENCE REQUIRED?

Storage/Use/Sale Of Hazardous Substances
A Hazardous Substances Importation/Storage/Use/Sale license in terms of section 8 - 9 of
Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007 is required. One is required to complete application forms
and provide certified copies of; certificate of incorporation and Identity Document of the
manager. The license is valid for one calendar year.
Transportation Of Hazardous Substances
One requires a Hazardous Substances Transportation License in terms of section 13,
subsection 2 of Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007. The applicant is required to; complete
application forms, provide a certificate of fitness for the horse and the trailer as well as
certified copies of certificate of incorporation, registration book of horse and trailer, Identity
Document of manager and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). The license is valid for one
calendar year. The transit of hazardous substances through Zimbabwe also requires a transit
license in terms of section 14 of Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007.
Hazardous Waste Generation (used oil, fluorescent tubes)
A Hazardous Waste License in terms of section 3, subsection 1 of Statutory Instrument 10 of
2007 is required. The requirements are; a completed application form and certified copies of
certificate of incorporation and Identity Card of manager. The license is valid for one
calendar year, with submission of quarterly reports.

7FOR WHICH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO AIR POLLUTION IS AN EMA LICENCE REQUIRED?

Release Of Industrial Air Emissions
One requires an Air Emission License in terms of section 64 of the Environmental
Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002. The requirements are emission survey report and
completed application forms (AQ1). The license is valid for one calendar year with
submission of quarterly reports.

8FOR WHICH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WATER POLLUTION IS AN EMA LICENCE REQUIRED?

Discharge Of Effluent Water
An Effluent Discharge License is required in terms of section 60 of the Environmental
Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002. The applicant is required to complete an application
form (ESWD1) and provide a laboratory analysis report of effluent discharged at his/her
premises. The license is valid for one calendar year with submission of quarterly reports.

9FOR WHICH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SOLID WASTE IS AN EMA LICENCE REQUIRED?

Solid Waste Disposal (landfills, dumps, saw dust)
A Solid Waste Disposal License in terms of section 71 of the Environmental Management
Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002 is required. The applicant is required to complete an application
form (ESWD). The license is valid for one calendar year, with submission of quarterly
reports.
Solid Waste Management Enterprises (scrap metal, waste paper etc.)
A Solid Waste Management License in terms of section 71 of the Environmental
Management Act (CAP 20:27) of 2002 is required. The requirements are; completion of an
application form, company profile and pictures of the vehicle, if applicable (front, rear, side).
The license is valid for one calendar year, with submission of quarterly reports.

10FOR WHICH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION IS AN EMA LICENCE REQUIRED?

Sand Abstraction
One requires a Sand Abstraction License in terms of section 2, subsection 1 of Statutory
Instrument 3 of 2011 as read with section 3 of Statutory Instrument 7of 2007. The applicant
is required to submit the completed form endorsed by the Local Authority, lessee or land
owner. An offer letter/title deeds/lease agreement of the area should be attached to the form.
The completed form and proof of land ownership together with an Environmental
Management Plan (EMP) should be submitted to EMA for review. This license is renewed
quarterly with submission of quarterly reports.
Sand Transportation
A Sand Transportation License in terms of Statutory Instrument 13 of 2011 as read with
section 3 of Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 is required. The requirements are; completed
application forms, vehicle registration book and photographs of vehicle (front, back and
sides). The license is renewed quarterly.

11FOR WHICH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IS AN EMA LICENCE REQUIRED?

All projects that are listed in terms of Section 97 of the Environmental Management Act
(CAP 20:27) of 2002 as read with the First Schedule should not be implemented until an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate is granted by EMA. These projects
include;
-1. Dams and manmade lakes;
-Drainage of wetlands and irrigation schemes
-Conversion of forest land to other use;
-Conversion of natural woodland to other use within the catchment area of
reservoirs used for water supply, irrigation or hydropower generation or in areas
adjacent to the Parks and Wildlife estate;
-Housing Developments;
-Industry-chemical plants, iron and steel smelters and plants, smelters other than
iron and steel, petrochemical plants, cement plants, lime plants, agro-industries,
pulp and paper mills, tanneries, breweries and industries involving the use,
manufacture, handling, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous- or toxic
material.
-Infrastructure-highways, airports, new railway routes and branch lines, new towns
or townships, industrial sites;
-Mining and quarrying-mineral prospecting; mineral mining; ore processing and
concentrating; quarrying;
-Petroleum production, storage and distribution;

-Power generation and transmission- thermal power stations, hydropower schemes
and high voltage transmission lines;
-Tourist resorts and recreational developments –resort facilities and hotels, marinas
and safari operators;
-Waste treatment and disposal-toxic and hazardous waste: incineration plants,
recovery plants, waste water treatment plants, landfill facilities and storage
facilities; municipal solid waste: incineration, composting, recovery and recycling
plants and landfill facilities; municipal sewage: waste treatment plants, outfalls
into aquatic systems, effluent water irrigation schemes and
-Water supply- groundwater development for industrial, agricultural or urban water
supply; major canals, cross drainage water transfers, major pipelines and water
withdrawals from rivers and reservoirs.

12FOR HOW LONG IS AN EIA CERTIFICATE VALID?

The initial certificates issued by EMA are valid for 2 years. Thereafter a renewal is required
annually, in terms of Section 101, subsection 1 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP
20:27) of 2002. Six (6) months prior to the expiration of the certificate, the project developer
is required to renew his/her license if commencement of the project has not been completed
within the stipulated period.
The renewal process is as follows:
a) Completion of the EMA C1 renewal form
b) Attach quarterly reports
c) Payment of a prescribed fee
d) Submission to the Agency for processing
The EIA renewal process takes at least a month.

13WHERE CAN I GET APPLICATION FORMS FOR LICENCES?

Forms can be downloaded on the Environmental Management Agency website,
www.ema.co.zw.

14WHICH STEPS SHOULD ONE TAKE TO OBTAIN AN EIA LICENCE?

Prepare prospectus (a short document with project description, location-attach a
colour 1:50 000 map, baseline environmental setting, major anticipated
environmental impacts of the project, possible mitigation measures, project cost,
terms of reference and legal framework)
-To be prepared either by the proponent or registered consultant
-*6 copies of the prospectus
-Review fee $138.86
-5 working days to review
-Engage a registered consultant to conduct the full EIA

15WHERE CAN ONE FIND THE LIST OF REGISTERED EIA CONSULTANTS?

The list of registered consultants is on the EMA website.

16HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REVIEW A PROSPECTUS AND THE FULL EIA DOCUMENT, RESPECTIVELY?

Five and 20 working days, respectively.

17FOR HOW LONG ARE EMA LICENCES VALID?

Hazardous Substances licences are valid for one year from the date of issue.
-Waste, Air and Effluent licences are valid for one calendar year. They expire on
the 31 st of December each year.
-Sand extraction and transportation licences expire after every 3 months.

18HOW MUCH ARE EIA REVIEW FEES?

The EIA fees are on a sliding scale ranging from 0.8% to 1.2% of the total project
cost depending on the impacts of the project on the environment.

19WHERE CAN ONE GET ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION?

Copies of environmental legislation are available on the EMA website, here

20HOW CAN ONE ACCESS ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES?

You write a letter on your school, college/university letterhead, addressed to the
Director General of the Agency, indicating your request for academic information,
and should be as precise as possible. The letter should be emailed to
registry@ema.co.zw.

21WHAT CAN ONE DO AFTER COLLECTING RECYCLABLE MATERIAL?

One needs to get in touch with recyclers on the Recycling Directory on the EMA
website.

22WHO GIVES PERMITS TO CUT DOWN TREES?

The Forestry Commission is responsible for the management of all Forests and
their produce, hence, it is the rightful organisation to contact on any issues
regarding the sustainable utilisation of forests.

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