An EAP and a specialist, appointed in terms of regulation 12(1) or 12(2), must-
(a) be independent;
(b) have expertise in conducting environmental impact assessments or undertaking specialist work as required,
including knowledge of the Act, these Regulations and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity;
(c) ensure compliance with these Regulations;
(d) perform the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that are not favourable to the application;
(e) take into account, to the extent possible, the matters referred to in regulation 18 when preparing the application and any report, plan or document relating to the application; and
(f) disclose to the proponent or applicant, registered interested and affected parties and the competent authority all material information in the possession of the EAP and, where applicable, the specialist, that reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing-
(i) any decision to be taken with respect to the application by the competent authority in terms of these Regulations; or
(ii) the objectivity of any report, plan or document to be prepared by the EAP or specialist, in terms of these Regulations for submission to the competent authority;
unless access to that information is protected by law, in which case it must be indicated that such protected
information exists and is only provided to the competent authority.
