Reliable, accurate and practical protocols for monitoring of biogas at landfill sites in South Africa is a significant component of due diligence for local authorities.

Some progress has been made to formulate legislation governing air emissions to enable measurable assessment of pollution parameters relating to various industries and activities.

Within the waste management context, the environmental specific legislation viz National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39 of 2004) (NEM:AQA) as well as National Environmental Management: Waste Act (59 of 2008) (NEM:WA) provide the regulatory reform for air quality through reasonable measures for prevention of pollution, ecological degradation and securing ecological sustainable development.

The development of norms and standards as well as regulatory measures assist with ensuring minimising harmful effects on human health and the environment as well as improving monitoring and assessment of air quality pollutants and thus reducing the impact on the receptors.

In addition , South Africa set monitoring guidelines with the publishing of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) published “Minimum Requirements for Waste Disposal by Landfill during 1998.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US- EPA) and EU Clean Air for Europe Directive) are international regulatory guidelines that assist in realising improved and sustainable measurement and control of air quality.

The paper provides a comparative assessment of the international landfill gas management processes versus the South African approach and determines where improvements can be realised.

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