Environmental Management (Soil Quality Standards) Regulations, 2007.

These Regulations, made by the Minister of State under sections 143, 144 and 230 of the Environmental Management Act, concern soil pollution and soil quality standards and provide with respect to a soil protection permit and compliance system. They also concern measures of enforcement. The object of these Regulations is to - (a) set limits for soil contaminants in agriculture and habitat;(b) enforce minimum soil quality standards prescribed by the National Environmental Standards Committee; (c) prescribe measures designed to maintain, restore and enhance the sustainable productivity of the soil; (d) prescribe minimum soil quality standards to maintain restore and enhance the inherent productivity of the soil in the long term; (e) enforce minimum soil standards prescribed by the National Environmental Standards Committee for such purposes as agricultural practices; (f) ensure implementation of criteria and procedures prescribed by the National Environmental Standards Committee for the measurement and determination of soil quality; and (g) prescribe measures and guidelines for soil management; (h) ensure compliance with any such measures and guidelines for soil management that may be prescribed by the Minister. The National Environmental Standards Committee of Tanzania Bureau of Standards shall, among other things: (a) establish criteria and procedures for the measurement and determination of the quality of soil; (b) set minimum standards for the management of the quality of soil. A person undertaking any activity which impacts upon soil shall comply with soil quality standards that may be prescribed by the National Environmental Standards Committee.Contaminants of volatile organic compounds in habitat and agricultural soils shall comply with parameters and upper limits specified in Table 1 of the First Schedule to these Regulations and contaminants of heavy metals in habitat; agricultural soils shall comply with parameters and upper limits specified in Table 2; and contaminants of pesticides in habitat and agricultural soils shall comply with parameters and upper limits specified in Table 3. Local government authority may prescribe special or specific measures and guidelines for soil conservation applicable to their respective areas of jurisdictions which are not below standards prescribed under these Regulations.

Implements: Environmental Management Act, 2004 (No. 20 of 2004). (2005-02-08)