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National norms and standards for the assessment of waste for landfill disposal, 2013

Government Notice R635 of 2013

This is the version of this Government Notice as it was from 23 August 2013 to 6 November 2024. Read the latest available version.
National norms and standards for the assessment of waste for landfill disposal, 2013
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Government Notice R635 of 2013
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National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008
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English
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South Africa
National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008

National norms and standards for the assessment of waste for landfill disposal, 2013

Government Notice R635 of 2013

I, Bomo Edith Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, hereby set national norms and standards for the assessment of waste for landfill disposal, under section 7(1)(c) of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008), in the Schedule hereto.Bomo Edith Edna MolewaMinister of Water and Environmental Affairs

Chapter 1
Interpretation and purpose

1. Definitions

In these National Norms and Standards, any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act has that same meaning, and unless the context indicates otherwise-"Leachable Concentration (LC)" means the leachable concentration of a particular element or chemical substance in a waste, expressed as mg/l;"Leachable Concentration Threshold (LCT)" means the leachable concentration threshold limit for particular elements and chemical substances in a waste, expressed as mg/l, prescribed in section 6 of these Norms and Standards;"putrescible waste" means waste that contains organic matter capable of being decomposed by microorganisms, or that will readily decay under normal conditions, giving rise to offensive odours, or which is capable of providing food for birds and animals, thereby attracting vermin or disease-causing vectors such as flies and rodents;"Total Concentration (TC)" means the total concentration of a particular element or chemical substance in a waste, expressed as mg/kg;"Total Concentration Threshold (TCT)" means the total concentration threshold limit for particular elements or chemical substances in a waste, expressed as mg/kg, prescribed in section 6 of these Norms and Standards;"the Act" means the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008);"the regulations" means the waste classification and management regulations, 2013.

2. Purpose and application

These Norms and Standards prescribe the requirements for the assessment of waste prior to disposal to landfill in terms of Regulation 8(1)(a) of the Regulations.

Chapter 2
Standard assessment methodology

3. Approach

(1)To assess waste for the purpose of disposal to landfill, the following are required-
(a)identification of chemical substances present in the waste; and
(b)sampling and analysis to determine the total concentrations (TC) and leachable concentrations (LC) of the elements and chemical substances that have been identified in the waste and that are specified in section 6 of these Norms and Standards.
(2)Within three (3) years of the date of commencement of the Regulations, all analyses of the TC and LC of elements and chemical substances in waste must be conducted by laboratories accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) to conduct the particular techniques and analysis methods required.
(3)The TC and LC limits of the chemical substances in the waste must be compared to the threshold limits specified in section 6 of these Norms and Standards for total concentrations (TCT limits) and leachable concentrations (LCT limits) of specific elements and chemical substances.
(4)Based on the TC and LC limits of the elements and chemical substances in the waste exceeding the corresponding TCT and LCT limits respectively, the specific type of waste for disposal to landfill must be determined in terms of section 7 of these Norms and Standards.

4. Total Concentration (TC) analysis

(1)The TC of all the elements and chemical substances specified in section 6 of these Norms and Standards that are known to occur, likely to occur or can reasonably be expected to occur in the waste must be determined.
(2)The TC of elements and chemical substances in waste must be determined using techniques and analysis methods that will provide reliable, accurate and repeatable results of the TC of elements and chemical substances specified in section 6 of these Norms and Standards.

5. Leachable Concentration (LC) analysis

(1)The LC of elements and chemical substances must be determined using the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure (AS 4439.1, 4439.2 and 4439.3).
(2)The type of leaching fluid (section 5.2 and 5.3 of AS 4439.3) used in the leaching procedure must be selected as follows -
(a)Waste to be disposed of with, or waste that contains, putrescible wastes: Use 0.1M acetic acid solution with altered pH 5.0 or pH 2.9 determined as per section 7.5(a-e) of AS 4439.3;
(b)Waste to be disposed of with non-putrescible waste: Use a basic 0.1M sodium tetraborate decahydrate solution of pH 9.2 ±0.1, as well as an acetic acid solution with pH 5.0 or pH 2.9) determined as per section 7.5(a-e) of AS 4439.3; or
(c)Non-putrescible waste to be disposed of without any other wastes: Use reagent water.
(3)Existing LC results for elements and chemical substances in wastes, which have been determined in terms of the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) leach test criteria of the Minimum Requirements for the Handling, Classification and Disposal of Hazardous Waste (2nd Edition, 1998; Department of Water Affairs and Forestry) prior to the Regulations taking effect, may be utilised for comparison with the LCT limits in section 6 of these Norms and Standards to asses waste for the purpose of disposal of the waste to landfill, for a period not exceeding three (3) years from the date of publication of this Notice.

6. LCT and TCT Limits

(1)Total Concentration Threshold (TCT) Limits (mg/kg):
Elements & Chemical Substances in WasteTCTOTCT1 TCT2
Metal Ions
As, Arsenic5.85002000
B, Boron1501500060000
Ba, Barium62.5625025000
Cd, Cadmium7.52601040
Co, Cobalt50500020000
CrTotal, Chromium Total46000800000N/A
Cr(VI), Chromium (VI)6.55002000
Cu, Copper161950078000
Hg, Mercury0.93160640
Mn, Manganese100025000100000
Mo, Molybdenum4010004000
Ni, Nickel911060042400
Pb, Lead2019007600
Sb, Antimony1075300
Se, Selenium1050200
V, Vanadium150268010720
Zn, Zinc240160000640000
Inorganic Anions
TDS   
Chloride   
Sulphate   
NO 3 as N, Nitrate-N   
F, Fluoride1001000040000
CN-(total), Cyanide Total141050042000
Organics
Benzene 1040
Benzo(a)pyrene 1.76.8
Carbon tetrachloride 416
Chlorobenzene 880035200
Chloroform 7002800
2-Chlorophenol 21008400
Di (2 ethylhexyl) phthalate 40160
1,2-Dichlorobenzene 31900127600
1,4-Dichlorobenzene 1840073600
1,2-Dichloroethane 3.714.8
1,1-Dichloroethylene 150600
1-2-Dichloroethylene 375015000
Dichloromethane 1664
2,4-Dichlorophenol 8003200
2,4-Dinitrotoluene 5.220.8
Ethylbenzene 5402160
Formaldehyde 20008000
Hexachlorobutadiene 2.85.4
Methyl ethyl ketone 800032000
MTBE (Methyl t-butyl ether) 14355740
Nitrobenzene 45180
PAHs (total) 50200
Petroleum H/Cs, C6 to C9 6502600
Petroleum H/Cs, C10 to C36 1000040000
Phenols (total, non-halogenated) 5602240
Polychlorinated biphenyls 1248
Styrene 120480
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane 4001600
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 5.020
Tetrachloroethylene 200800
Toluene 11504600
Trichlorobenzenes (total) 330013200
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 12004800
1,1,2-Trichloroethane 48192
Trichloroethylene 1160046400
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 17707080
Vinyl chloride 1.56.0
Xylenes (total) 8903560
Pesticides
Aldrin + Dieldrin0.051.24.8
DDT + DDD + DDE0.0550200
2,4-D0.05120480
Chlordane0.05416
Heptachlor0.051.24.8
Notes:• TCT1 limits, where appropriate, have been derived from the land remediation values for commercial/industrial land determined by the Department of Environmental Affairs' "Framework for the Management of Contaminated Land", March 2010. The TCT2 limits were derived by multiplying TCT1 by a factor of 4, as used by the Environmental Protection Agency, Australian State of Victoria.• If South African limits for TCT1 were unavailable, in general, the limits published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Australian State of Victoria have been used.• Some TC limits have been adjusted because of various attenuation factors that are observed in landfills.• Where available, the TCT0 limits for have been obtained from SA Soil Screening Values that are protective of water resources. If not available, the State of Victoria value for fill material (EPA Victoria, Classification of Wastes) has been selected. If limits were not available in these references a conservative value was obtained by dividing the TCT1 value by 100.
(2)Leachable Concentration Threshold (LCT) Limits (mg/l):
Elements & Chemical Substances in WasteLCTOLCT1LCT2LCT3
Metal Ions
As, Arsenic0.010.514
B, Boron0.52550200
Ba, Barium0.73570280
Cd, Cadmium0.0030.150.31.2
Co, Cobalt0.52550200
CrTotal, Chromium Total0.151040
Cr(VI), Chromium (VI)0.052.5520
Cu, Copper2.0100200800
Hg, Mercury0.0060.30.62.4
Mn, Manganese0.52550200
Mo, Molybdenum0.073.5728
Ni, Nickel0.073.5728
Pb, Lead0.010.514
Sb, Antimony0.021.028
Se, Selenium0.010.514
V, Vanadium0.2102080
Zn, Zinc5.02505002000
Inorganic Anions
TDS100012 50025 000100 000
Chloride30015 00030 000120 000
Sulphate25012 50025 000100 000
NO3 as N, Nitrate-N1155011004400
F, Fluoride1.575150600
CN-(total), Cyanide Total0.073.5728
Organics
Benzene 0.010.020.08
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.0350.070.28
Carbon tetrachloride 0.200.401.6
Chlorobenzene 5.01040
Chloroform 1530120
2-Chlorophenol 1530120
Di (2 ethylhexyl) phthalate 0.5014
1,2-Dichlorobenzene 51040
1,4-Dichlorobenzene 1530120
1,2-Dichloroethane 1.5312
1,1-Dichloroethylene 0.350.72.8
1-2-Dichloroethylene 2.5520
Dichloromethane 0.250.52
2,4-Dichlorophenol 102080
2,4-Dinitrotoluene 0.0650.130.52
Ethylbenzene 3.5728
Formaldehyde 2550200
Hexachlorobutadiene 0.030.060.24
Methyl ethyl ketone 100200800
MTBE (Methyl t-butyl ether) 2.55.020.0
Nitrobenzene 128
PAHs (total) N/AN/AN/A
Petroleum H/Cs, C6 to C9 N/AN/AN/A
Petroleum H/Cs, C10 to C36 N/AN/AN/A
Phenols (total, non-halogenated) 71456
Polychlorinated biphenyls 0.0250.050.2
Styrene 1.028
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane 51040
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 0.651.35.3
Tetrachloroethylene 0.250.52
Toluene 3570280
Trichlorobenzenes (total) 3.5728
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 1530120
1,1,2-Trichloroethane 0.614
Trichloroethylene 0.2528
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 10.02080
Vinyl chloride 0.0150.030.12
Xylenes (total) 2550200
Pesticides
Aldrin + Dieldrin 0.0150.030.03
DDT + DDD + DDE 122
2,4-D 1.533
Chlordane 0.050.10.1
Heptachlor 0.0150.030.03
Notes:• LCT1 limits have, where possible, been derived from the lowest value of the standard for human health effects listed for drinking water (LCTO) in South Africa (DWAF, SANS) by multiplying with a Dilution Attenuation Factor (DAF) of 50 as proposed by the Australian State of Victoria, "Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines: Solid Industrial Waste Hazard Categorisation and Management", June 2009 www.epa.vic.gov.au. If no standard was available in South Africa then the limits given by the WHO or other appropriate drinking water standard, such as those published in the California Regulations have been used.• LCT2 limits were derived by multiplying the LCT1 value with a factor of 2, and the LCT3 limits have been derived by multiplying the LCT2 value with a factor of 4. The factors applied represents a conservative assessment of the decrease in risk achieved by the increase in environmental protection provided by more comprehensive liner designs in higher classes of landfill and landfill operating requirements.

7. Determining waste types for landfill disposal

(1)The specific type of waste for disposal to landfill must be determined by comparing the TC and LC of the elements and chemical substances in the waste with the TCT and LCT limits specified in section 6 of these Norms and Standards.
(2)Based on the assessment of the particular waste destined for disposal to landfill, the type of waste is determined as follows-
(a)Wastes with any element or chemical substance concentration above the LCT3 or TCT2 limits (LC > LCT3 or TC > TCT2) are Type 0 Wastes;
(b)Wastes with any element or chemical substance concentration above the LCT2 but below or equal to the LCT3 limits, or above the TCT1 but below or equal to the TCT2 limits (LCT2 < LC 5 LCT3 or TCT1 < TC TCT2), are Type 1 Wastes;
(c)Wastes with any element or chemical substance concentration above the LCT1 but below or equal to the LCT2 limits and all concentrations below or equal to the TCT1 limits (LCT1 < LC 5 LCT2 and TC 5 TCT1) are Type 2 Wastes;
(d)Wastes with any element or chemical substance concentration above the LCT0 but below or equal to the LCT1 limits and all TC concentrations below or equal to the TCT1 limits (LCT0 < LC 5 LCT1 and TC 5 TCT1) are Type 3 Wastes; or
(e)Wastes with all element and chemical substance concentration levels for metal ions and inorganic anions below or equal to the LCT0 and TCT0 limits (LC 5 LCT0 and TC TCT0), and with all chemical substance concentration levels also below the following total concentration limits for organics and pesticides, are Type 4 Wastes-
Chemical Substances in WasteTotal Concentration(mg/kg)
Organics
TOC30 000 (= 3%)
BTEX6
PCBs1
Mineral Oil (C10 to C40)500
Pesticides
Aldrin + Dieldrin0.05
DDT + DDD + DDE0.05
2,4-D0.05
Chlordane0.05
Heptachlor0.05
(3)If a particular chemical substance in a waste is not listed with corresponding LCT and TCT limits in section 6 of these Norms and Standards, and the waste has been classified as hazardous in terms of regulation 4(2) of the Regulations based on the health or environmental hazard characteristics of the particular element or chemical substance, the following applies
(a)the waste is considered to be Type 1 Waste; and
(b)the Department must be informed in writing in 30 days of the particular element or chemical substance not listed in section 6 of these Norms and Standards.
(4)Notwithstanding section 7(2) of these Norms and Standards, if the TC of an element or chemical substance is above the TCT2 limit, and the concentration cannot be reduced to below the TCT2 limit, but the LC for the particular element or chemical substance is below the LCT3 limit, the waste is considered to be Type 1 Waste.
(5)Wastes listed in item (2)(b) of Annexure 1 to the Regulations are considered to be Type 1 Waste, unless assessed and determined otherwise in terms of these Norms and Standards.
(6)Notwithstanding section 7(2) of these Norms and Standards, wastes with all element or chemical substance leachable concentration levels for metal ions and inorganic anions below or equal to the LCT0 limits are considered to be Type 3 waste, irrespective of the total concentration of elements or chemical substances in the waste, provided that-
(a)all chemical substance concentration levels are below the following total concentration limits for organics and pesticides:
Chemical Substances in WasteTotal Concentration(mg/kg)
Organics
TOC30 000 (= 3%)
BTEX6
PCBs1
Mineral Oil (C10 to C40)500
Pesticides
Aldrin + Dieldrin0.05
DDT + DDD + DDE0.05
2,4-D0.05
Chlordane0.05
Heptachlor0.05
(b)the inherent physical and chemical character of the waste is stable and will not change over time; and
(c)the waste is disposed of to landfill without any other waste.
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National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008
Energy and Natural Resources · Environment, Climate and Wildlife · Health and Food Safety

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National norms and standards for the assessment of waste for landfill disposal, 2013: Amendment
Environment, Climate and Wildlife · Health and Food Safety
Government Notice 5522 of 2024