A new schedule of hazardous substances has been published under the Hazardous Substances Act of 1973 which will come into effect on 4 October 2025.
The schedule lists industrial substances under the Rotterdam Convention and their use in South Africa, mercury and mercury compounds under the Minamata Convention, and other industrial substances or mixture of substances, products or materials that are deemed hazardous.
Where hazardous substances are referred to, for instance in an insurance policy or in carriage contracts, the choice will be to use the phrase ‘hazardous substances’ in its ordinary meaning, or to refer to the schedule of the Act and, if required, a reference to other substances having a similar or comparable effect.
Notice 6093 in Government Gazette 52449 dated 4 April 2025.