Tag: Herbert Smith Freehills
South Africa’s new Climate Change Act – an overview
The mechanisms created under the new Climate Change Act must be implemented in accordance with the principles set out in section 3 and with a view to achieve the Act's objectives set out in section 2. The Act imposes different duties on different categories of government stakeholders, including organs of state which are required to revise, amend, coordinate and harmonise their policies, laws, measures, programmes and decisions in order to ensure that the risks of climate change impacts and associated vulnerabilities are taken into consideration.
Competition law block exemptions published for the energy sector
On Wednesday, 24 May 2023, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (MTIC) published the Energy Users Block Exemption and Energy Supplier Block Exemption. The Energy Users Block Exemption allows for collaboration between energy users to respond to the current electricity supply constraints subject to a process of notification to the Competition Commission and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).
Unpacking the new mandatory vaccinations Code of Practice
On 4 April 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the National State of Disaster would be lifted with effect from 00:00 on 5 April 2022. One of the effects of this is that the Code of Good Practice: Managing Exposure to SARS-COV-2 in the Workplace (Code) became effective on 5 April 2022.
Proposed EU directive on human rights and environmental due diligence will...
The recently approved Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence 2022/0051 (COD) (Directive) - Small remit, but a massive net.
CCMA dismissal for mandatory vaccine refusal
On 21 January 2022, the first Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) decision relating to mandatory vaccinations in the workplace was issued. The Commissioner found that the employee's dismissal for incapacity arising from her refusal to vaccinate was both procedurally and substantively fair.
Guide to implementing a mandatory vaccination policy in the workplace
The Department of Employment and Labour introduced the Consolidated Direction on Health and Safety in Certain Workplaces on 11 June 2021. Effectively, it permits employers to introduce a mandatory vaccination policy provided certain conditions are met.
Increasing ESG and regulatory scrutiny on ethical supply chains
What are the legal implications for international oil companies (IOCs) operating in host countries where supplier due diligence is a challenge? The short answer to the question is that IOCs face ever increasing legal risk.
JUDGEMENT | Key consequences of the Mining Charter III
There are key consequences of the Gauteng Division of the High Court's decision in Minerals Council of South Africa v The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Thirteen Others (Case No. 20341/19) (Mining Charter III Judgment).
The 2021 upstream petroleum resources development bill
Total S.A.'s (Total) initial discovery just over two years ago of gas concentrate in the Outeniqua Basin (Brulpadda prospect, Block 11B/12B) offshore South Africa, a deposit reportedly containing around one billion barrels of oil equivalent, has placed a spotlight on the potential of South Africa's upstream oil and gas industry.
SA’s transition to electronic vehicles: a zero sum game
South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) published its initial discussion paper on the country’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The Auto Green Paper was published in response to the submissions which the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition received from South Africa’s major motor vehicle manufacturers following his request to the industry to contribute to the development of the roadmap for the local production of EVs nearly two years ago.
