NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MANAGEMENT OF SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTES REGULATIONS
Regulation · Environment
Regulations establish standards for managing and disposing of solid and hazardous wastes from industrial and municipal activities in Nigeria. They target factories, healthcare institutions, and waste management authorities to ensure safe handling and treatment. This safeguards human health and the environment from waste-related harms.
What Is This Policy?
These Regulations establish the standards and procedures for the management, disposal, and minimisation of solid and hazardous wastes generated by industrial, commercial, and municipal activities in Nigeria.
Who Does It Target?
Industrial facilities generating hazardous chemical, biological, or radioactive waste Healthcare institutions generating clinical and medical waste Municipal waste management authorities and collection services
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of poorly managed solid and hazardous wastes by setting standards for waste segregation, storage, transport, treatment, and final disposal.
Key Features
Waste Classification: Classifies wastes into categories based on their hazard characteristics, determining the management requirements applicable to each Storage Requirements: Sets conditions for the temporary storage of hazardous wastes at generation sites including containment and labelling Transport Regulations: Prescribes requirements for the safe transport of hazardous wastes including approved vehicle types, documentation, and emergency procedures Disposal Standards: Specifies approved methods and conditions for the final disposal of solid and hazardous wastes Manifest System: Requires a tracking document (manifest) to accompany hazardous waste from its point of generation through to final disposal
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active; enforced by NESREA and state environmental protection agencies Coverage: Nationwide Funding: Federal government budget through NESREA; waste disposal permit fees
How to Access
Generators of hazardous waste must register with NESREA and comply with all waste management requirements. Registration as a hazardous waste generator with NESREA Use of licensed waste transporters and licensed disposal facilities for all hazardous waste Maintenance of waste generation, transport, and disposal records available for inspection Application method: NESREA headquarters, Abuja, and state environmental enforcement offices
Important Terms
Illegal dumping of hazardous waste is a criminal offence under the Regulations Liability for remediation of illegal hazardous waste sites rests with the generator and any contractor involved
Official Resources
Website: www.nesrea.gov.ng
Legal Framework
Issued under the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act 2007 (NESREA Act). Operates alongside the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution on environmental obligations, and relevant international environmental conventions ratified by Nigeria. Draws on the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and international solid waste management standards adopted by Nigeria.