Who issues the AEL — national or municipal?

Metropolitan and district municipalities are the licensing authorities, working within the national framework set by the Air Quality Act.

Is an AEL the same as an environmental authorisation?

No. An environmental authorisation under NEMA covers the development; the AEL covers emissions to air. Many projects need both.

What if I only have dust, not stack emissions?

Dust is managed under the National Dust Control Regulations and municipal by-laws, which may require a dust management plan rather than an AEL.

What happens if I operate without an AEL?

It is a criminal offence under the Air Quality Act, with fines, imprisonment and directives to stop operating.

Environmental

Air Emissions Authorisation

In plain English

An Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) is required for listed activities that release emissions into the air, under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004. Licensing is done by the metropolitan or district municipality acting as the licensing authority.

View requirements Visit official website

Who needs this permit

Operators of listed activities — furnaces, boilers above the listed thresholds, smelters, crematoria, asphalt plants, foundries, rendering plants and similar installations.

When is it required

Before the activity starts operating. A provisional AEL is typically issued for construction and commissioning, followed by the full licence.

Eligibility

The applicant is the person in control of the listed activity
The activity can meet the minimum emission standards for its category
Required environmental authorisations are in place or being processed

Documents you need before applying

Completed AEL application to the licensing authority
Description of the process, raw materials and emission points
Atmospheric impact report where required
Environmental authorisation (EIA) where the activity is listed under NEMA
Emission monitoring plan
Proof of public participation

Download a printable checklist

A one-page PDF of everything you need to bring with you. Tick items off before you go.

How to apply — step by step

1
Confirm whether your activity is listed
The listed activities and their minimum emission standards are published under the Air Quality Act. If your activity is not listed, an AEL is not required — but municipal by-laws on nuisance and dust may still apply.
2
Appoint the specialists
An air quality specialist prepares the atmospheric impact report and dispersion modelling in the format the licensing authority requires.
3
Run the public participation process
Interested and affected parties, including neighbours, must have an opportunity to comment.
4
Submit the application and pay the processing fee
The metropolitan or district municipality's air quality officer processes the application.
5
Operate under licence conditions and report
AELs carry monitoring, record-keeping and annual emissions reporting obligations via the National Atmospheric Emission Inventory System.

Where, how much, how long

Where to apply

The air quality officer at the metropolitan or district municipality where the installation is located.

Fees

Set by the licensing authority's tariff. Specialist studies usually cost far more than the licence fee.

Processing time

Several months. The Act sets processing timeframes, but specialist studies and public participation dominate the timeline.

Validity

Up to five years, after which review and renewal are required.

Renewal

Apply for review and renewal well before expiry, with updated emissions data.

Common mistakes to avoid

Commissioning a plant before the provisional AEL is issued
Skipping public participation, which invalidates the process
Under-reporting emission points
Missing annual reporting deadlines

Tips to speed up your application

Engage the municipal air quality officer early — pre-application meetings save months
Keep calibration records for monitoring equipment
Diarise the annual reporting deadline