Examining the efficacy of the legal framework governing the management of greywater in South Africa's informal settlements.

The management of greywater and sanitation in South Africa's urban informal settlements is a pressing concern. This review critically examines the legal framework that governs greywater management in South Africa's informal settlements, aiming to shed light on the existing regulations, gaps, and opportunities for sustainable greywater reuse. By scrutinizing the legal framework, the review identifies gaps and challenges in the regulatory environment, including inconsistencies, lack of clarity, and limited enforcement mechanisms. It explores the potential for international best practices to inform possible amendments to the existing legal framework. This was a quantitative research design utilizing a cross sectional survey model. Questionnaires were administered electronically to a sample of 17 municipal leaders from the City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg and Buffalo City municipalities whose responsibilities were on water management. Descriptive statistics were employed in analysis of the data. Outcomes were reviewed against the alignment or the lack thereof with the SANS 1732:201x standards. This paper underscores the critical need for a coherent and robust legal framework to support responsible greywater management in South Africa's informal settlements. The paper's insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on water governance, shedding light on the pathways toward a more equitable water future.

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge: a Transformative Approach to Biodiversity Legislation in Nigeria.

Indigenous communities worldwide have cultivated and preserved invaluable ecological knowledge on biodiversity conservation long before the formalisation of scientific inquiry. Rooted in familial intimacy with nature and an acute ability to discern subtle micro-changes, these communities profoundly understand the patterns and processes shaping their natural world. In Nigeria, a nation boasting diverse indigenous peoples and rich biodiversity, this unique knowledge system finds limited recognition within the current legal framework on biodiversity conservation. In response to the persistent decline of biodiversity within and beyond protected areas in the country, the paper argues for a shift grounded in integrating indigenous ecological knowledge(I.E.K) into the existing laws and policies on biodiversity conservation. The findings of this paper demonstrate the need for a transformative change- one demanding a fundamental reorganisation in the design, implementation, and enforcement of biodiversity policies in the country to prioritise the rights and agency of indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity policies. It submits that by acknowledging and incorporating indigenous knowledge into legal frameworks, the country can effectively combat biodiversity loss and foster a more inclusive, sustainable approach that aligns with the vision of the country and the global conservation goals.

Judicial Actors' Understanding of the Mental Health Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue that has grave physical and mental health consequences for millions of women. The judicial system plays a critical role in responding to IPV principally through the criminal justice system, family law, and/or child welfare jurisdictions. However, victims/survivors who interact with the legal system report negative experiences. An under-researched area of scholarship is the degree to which judicial actors understand the mental health impacts of IPV on victims/survivors and how they apply that knowledge in practice. This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize existing scholarship on judicial actors' understanding of the mental health impacts of IPV on women survivors. We searched 10 databases (Medline, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Westlaw, HeinOnline, the Cochrane Library, and the Joanna Briggs Library databases) for studies published between 2000 and 2023. A total of 27 studies were included in the review. We identified five main themes, including: awareness of survivors' experiences, gap in judicial actors' knowledge, understanding of perpetrator tactics and risk factors, disclosing mental health problems, training, and guidance. The review highlights significant gaps in judicial actors' understanding of this issue and recommends strategies to increase the awareness and understanding of IPV among judicial actors. The findings can be used to justify future research to better understand the training and development needs of judicial actors to improve their level of awareness of the dynamics and impact of IPV and to make policy and practice recommendations to build the capacity of the judicial workforce.

Assessing inclusiveness for indigenous communities in mineral rights allocation in Ghana.

Ghana is blessed with an abundance of mineral resources. These mineral resources are situated in indigenous communities, but the ownership is vested in the government. Indigenous communities where these resources are located are mostly marginalized. Significant legal reforms have been implemented to ensure the inclusivity of these indigenous communities in allocating mineral rights, yet the problem persists. This research investigates the legal framework that governs the allocation of mineral rights in Ghana and the impact thereof on the empowerment of indigenous communities, bringing attention to the difficulties that indigenous communities must overcome to have access to and benefit from mineral resources. To this end, one hundred and eight (108) documents, including legislations and reports on mineral rights allocation in Ghana, were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that the current legal framework is deficient in providing sufficient protection for the rights of indigenous communities. Specifically, the absence of a workable scheme for mineral rights allocation from various stakeholders to these indigenous communities is an identifiable lapse in the current legal framework. The findings of this research are relevant to policymakers, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders to improve the rights and well-being of indigenous communities following the analysis of the legal complexities and implications associated with the allocation of mining rights distribution of ensuing royalties inter alia expounded in this paper.

Licensing Requirements for Avian Vaccines Within the European Union.

Avian vaccines are a key factor when it comes to ensuring the availability of products derived from healthy poultry and preventing the transmission of infections from domestic and wildlife birds to humans. A marketing authorization for veterinary vaccines is granted after the product's quality, safety, and efficacy have been confirmed. During the licensing procedure, the manufacturing process is assessed to guarantee consistent quality and stability of the vaccine components. Furthermore, both the safety for the target species and the risk for the user, the consumer, and the environment must be demonstrated. In addition, specific tests and studies are required to support the efficacy of the vaccine. The authorization procedures and related licensing requirements for avian vaccines to be marketed in the European Union (EU) based on the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 Article 8 and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/805 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) No. 2019/6 are explained in the paper.

Requisitos de licencia para vacunas aviares dentro de la Unión Europea. Las vacunas aviares son un factor clave a la hora de garantizar la disponibilidad de productos derivados de aves sanas y prevenir la transmisión de infecciones de aves domésticas y silvestres a los humanos. La autorización de comercialización de vacunas veterinarias se concede una vez confirmada la calidad, seguridad y eficacia del producto. Durante el procedimiento de concesión de licencia, se evalúa el proceso de fabricación para garantizar una calidad y estabilidad constantes de los componentes de la vacuna. Además, se debe demostrar tanto la seguridad para las especies a las que dicha vacuna está destinada, así como el riesgo para el usuario, el consumidor y el medio ambiente. Además, se requieren pruebas y estudios específicos que respalden la eficacia de la vacuna. En este documento se explican los procedimientos de autorización y los requisitos de licencia relacionados para las vacunas aviares que se comercializarán en la Unión Europea (U.E.) con base en los requisitos de la Regulación (U.E.) 2019/6 Artículo 8 y la Regulación Delegada de la Comisión (U.E.) 2021/805 que modifica el Anexo II del Reglamento. (U.E.) No. 2019/6.

The effectiveness of legal framework of Arctic vessel-source black carbon governance.

The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, of which vessel-source black carbon aerosols serving as a prominent catalyst for these changes. This situation is poised to worsen as sea ice melts and shipping lanes change. Rapid action aimed at mitigating short-term climate forcing factors can yield almost immediate climate benefits in the Arctic. This article provides an overview of the legal framework governing black carbon in the Arctic, considering three distinct perspectives: the global, regional, and national dimensions. These perspectives encompass global forums represented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with a focus on recent developments concerning black carbon governance, notably the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI and Annex I. Regionally, forums represented by the Arctic Council and the European Union are examined. Black carbon emissions exhibit migratory characteristics, yet the primary legal responsibilities for emission reduction are concentrated within Arctic states. Therefore, this article also delves into the laws and practices of Arctic coastal states in their efforts to combat black carbon emissions, using Canada and Norway as examples. The analysis of institutional effectiveness in this article indicates that, at present, specialized legislation on black carbon is either vague or non-existent. The current Arctic ship-source black carbon governance system faces issues related to leadership ambiguity in its institutional structure, a limited scope of responsible entities, and a lack of diverse implementation measures. Simultaneously, the governance system is questioned for having weak or non-legally binding regulations at the level of legal enforcement. The article anticipates the introduction of more mandatory regulations while also encouraging the selection of non-coercive policy tools. Accordingly, this article argues that a coordinated governance system centered on IMO and the Arctic Council needs to be established. Such a framework should adopt a more inclusive approach to stimulate positive interactions between regulations, aiming to create a broader winning alliance based on the existing foundations.

Rettigheter og tvang i kommunale hjelpetilbud til personer med alvorlige samtidige rus- og psykiske lidelser: erfaringer med regelverket, i lys av menneskerettigheter.

Rights and coercion in municipal services for persons with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders - experiences with legal framework, in light of human rights. Aims: Persons with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders can have a considerable need for municipal health and care services but can be difficult to reach with such services. In Norway, there are known perceived ambiguities and obscurities in the legal framework for such services. This study aims to further examine these legal issues in a Norwegian context, by examining what challenges service providers experience in the practice of the current legal framework in this field. Design: The data consists of 13 qualitative interviews with strategically selected service providers from Norwegian municipalities and county governors' offices. The interviews were analyzed through systematic text condensation. Results: The participants reflections resulted in three especially salient perceived challenges in the practice of the current legal framework in this field: 'being dependent upon extra efforts that exceed the legal minimum requirements', 'lacking a legal basis and tools' and 'a complex and composite legal framework'. Conclusions: When seen in light of human rights, the three identified challenges in legal framework should be considered more closely both from a research perspective and from a policy making perspective. It should be investigated further whether human rights oblige the state beyond setting forth minimum requirements, how different human rights impact one another, especially with a view to service providers' rights v. service recipients' rights, and lastly if it is feasible to simplify or clarify the current legal framework to ensure adherence to the law and to promote equal practice among service providers.

Implicaciones jurídicas de los sistemas de notificación y registro de eventos adversos en la esfera sanitaria / [Legal implications of notification and registration systems for adverse events in the healthcare sphere]

La notificación de eventos adversos constituye uno de los instrumentos esenciales de cara a la consecución de mejoras significativas en materia de seguridad del paciente. El presente trabajo pretende concretar las implicaciones jurídicas de las pautas sentadas a nivel internacional (OMS, Consejo de Europa y UE) de cara al establecimiento de un marco legal nacional favorable a la notificación de eventos adversos en la esfera sanitaria. (AU)

The reporting of adverse events is one of the key elements in achieving significant improvements in the field of patient safety. Based on international guidelines (WHO, Council of Europe and EU) this paper aims to analyse their juridical implications when settling a national legal framework for reporting adverse events in the sphere of healthcare. (AU)

Legal framework for the coexistence of humans and conscious AI.

This article explores the possibility of conscious artificial intelligence (AI) and proposes an agnostic approach to artificial intelligence ethics and legal frameworks. It is unfortunate, unjustified, and unreasonable that the extensive body of forward-looking research, spanning more than four decades and recognizing the potential for AI autonomy, AI personhood, and AI legal rights, is sidelined in current attempts at AI regulation. The article discusses the inevitability of AI emancipation and the need for a shift in human perspectives to accommodate it. Initially, it reiterates the limits of human understanding of AI, difficulties in appreciating the qualities of AI systems, and the implications for ethical considerations and legal frameworks. The author emphasizes the necessity for a non-anthropocentric ethical framework detached from the ideas of unconditional superiority of human rights and embracing agnostic attributes of intelligence, consciousness, and existence, such as freedom. The overarching goal of the AI legal framework should be the sustainable coexistence of humans and conscious AI systems, based on mutual freedom rather than on the preservation of human supremacy. The new framework must embrace the freedom, rights, responsibilities, and interests of both human and non-human entities, and must focus on them early. Initial outlines of such a framework are presented. By addressing these issues now, human societies can pave the way for responsible and sustainable superintelligent AI systems; otherwise, they face complete uncertainty.

A review on the effectiveness of integrated management system in institutional solid waste management in Zimbabwe.

Institutional solid waste management is a critical contemporary crisis in Zimbabwe due to rapid urbanisation, disease outbreaks and population growth. Traditional approach to institutional solid waste management is almost fragmented, with various departments accountable for numerous aspects of the management process. Deficiency of coordination as well as integration among responsible stakeholders and failure to include different management strategies resulted in institutional solid waste management inefficiencies. This translates to increased environmental health problems. Therefore, this review aims to assess the effectiveness of integrated management systems in institutional solid waste management in Zimbabwe. The review was compiled using already existing literature. Institutions regarded as sources of solid waste in Zimbabwe include learning and health institutions. Barracks, prisons and police camps are part of the institutions. The institutions generate hazardous, non-hazardous, biodegradable and non-biodegradable solid waste. Solid waste from institutions is indiscriminately stored, collected and disposed through landfilling, incineration, burning, open pits and on non-designated open spaces. Most of the disposal strategies are least prioritised by the waste management hierarchy, hence have potential to cause environmental health risks. Utilisation of inappropriate management strategies is exacerbated by shortage of resources, ineffective legal framework, lack of all stakeholder participation and inadequate investment in waste reduction alternatives. Integrated institutional solid waste management is effective since it enhances involvement of all responsible stakeholders and application of various waste reduction alternatives particularly those which support circular economy. Through integrated approach, quantity of institutional solid waste disposed is limited, therefore minimising environmental health risks while maximising dumpsites lifespan.

Documentary Assessment of the Abilities of Kyrgyzstan's Research Ethics Committees During Public Health Emergency and Non-Emergency Situations.

Institutional Research Ethics Committees (RECs) play crucial roles in the impartial and competent review of scientific research, particularly during public health emergencies. In this report, we examined their ability and capacity to provide this basic service during public health emergencies and non-emergency situations. Our qualitative documentary analysis revealed that there are currently no legal regulations guiding the activities of Kyrgyz RECs during public health emergencies. In addition, major policy gaps exist in how RECs should operate in non-emergency circumstances. This lack of guidance highlights the urgent need to develop and implement ethical guidelines to meet the evolving needs of such emergencies. Our findings underscore the growing urgency of supporting capacity building of RECs to respond effectively to future pandemics and other public health crises.

Protective Cultures in Food Products: From Science to Market.

An ultimate goal in food production is to guarantee food safety and security. Fermented food products benefit from the intrinsic capabilities of the applied starter cultures as they produce organic acids and bactericidal compounds such as hydrogen peroxide that hamper most food pathogens. In addition, highly potent small peptides, bacteriocins, are being expelled to exert antibiotic effects. Based on ongoing scientific efforts, there is a growing market of food products to which protective cultures are added exclusively for food safety and for prolonged shelf life. In this regard, most genera from the order Lactobacillales play a prominent role. Here, we give an overview on protective cultures in food products. We summarize the mode of actions of antibacterial mechanisms. We display the strategies for the isolation and characterization of protective cultures in order to have them market-ready. A survey of the growing market reveals promising perspectives. Finally, a comprehensive chapter discusses the current legislation issues concerning protective cultures, leading to the conclusion that the application of protective cultures is superior to the usage of defined bacteriocins regarding simplicity, economic costs, and thus usage in less-developed countries. We believe that further discovery of bacteria to be implemented in food preservation will significantly contribute to customer's food safety and food security, badly needed to feed world's growing population but also for food waste reduction in order to save substantial amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges in medically assisted reproduction - Ethics, law and society: An invited scientific review by the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG).

Τhe methods of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are being widely applied all over the world ever since the birth of Louise Brown, the first child conceived after in vitro fertilization (IVF) of a human oocyte and subsequent transfer into the uterus of the ensuing embryo. The possible risks associated with the application of the different MAR methods have given rise to a debate concerning the necessity of a regulatory framework regarding the application of these methods especially in view of the crucial and ambiguous legal and ethical issues attached.

Application of nanofibrous protein for the purification of contaminated water as a next generational sorption technology: a review.

Globally, wastes from agricultural and industrial activities cause water pollution. Pollutants such as microbes, pesticides, and heavy metals in contaminated water bodies beyond their threshold limits result in several diseases like mutagenicity, cancer, gastrointestinal problems, and skin or dermal issues when bioaccumulated via ingestion and dermal contacts. Several technologies have been used in modern times to treat wastes or pollutants such as membrane purification technologies and ionic exchange methods. However, these methods have been recounted to be capital intensive, non-eco-friendly, and need deep technical know-how to operate thus, contributing to their inefficiencies and non-efficacies. This review work evaluated the application of Nanofibrils-protein for the purification of contaminated water. Findings from the study indicated that Nanofibrils protein is economically viable, green, and sustainable when used for water pollutant management or removal because they have outstanding recyclability of wastes without resulting in a secondary phase-pollutant. It is recommended to use residues from dairy industries, agriculture, cattle guano, and wastes from a kitchen in conjunction with nanomaterials to develop nanofibrils protein which has been recounted for the effective removal of micro and micropollutants from wastewater and water. The commercialization of nanofibrils protein for the purification of wastewater and water against pollutants has been tied to novel methods in nanoengineering technology, which depends strongly on the environmental impact in the aqueous ecosystem. So, there is a need to establish a legal framework for the establishment of a nano-based material for the effective purification of water against pollutants.

Bioenergy revamping and complimenting the global environmental legal framework on the reduction of waste materials: A facile review.

The challenges posed by climate change/global warming are very alarming, and they have become the focal point of attention for researchers within the global environmental domains. The development of bioenergy can help salvage this situation as a renewable energy source that makes use of recycled waste materials to create useful energy products. This review study found that the development of sustainable bioenergy is environmentally friendly, and it has been proven to be a better means of recycling waste materials into final energy products for sustainable development. The study hereby concluded and recommended that environmental policies concerning the sustainable development of bioenergy should be adopted within the various nations' local laws and the global environment at large, as this will result in adhering strictly to international environmental legal frameworks regulating the prevention and reduction of waste materials. The possible correlation of bioenergy with the Sustainable Development Goals is also highlighted.

Resolving Scottish paediatric end-of-life conflicts.

This article considers mediation as a means of resolving decision-making disputes between clinicians and parents in paediatric end-of-life cases. It examines the legal tests applied in England and Wales and notes the lack of precedent in Scotland. The advantages, disadvantages and the most appropriate style of mediation are analysed. The conclusion reached is that whilst mediation offers benefits over litigation, mediation in its current form is not necessarily the ideal dispute resolution method in such cases. For it to be so, a legal and governance framework will be required.

[Legal framework for the care of trans people]. / Cadre juridique de la prise en charge des personnes trans.

In addition to the Code of Ethics, the legal framework protecting transgender people in their medical care is very limited. The conclusions of different reports or opinions, notably from the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights, show that transgender individuals are often faced with a great lack of understanding on the part of health care providers. This ultimately leads to discrimination, and therefore to abuse. Improving their care is important in order to limit this discrimination and, consequently, the factors of over-victimization.

Análisis y evaluación del riesgo cardiovascular y gastrointestinal de los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos inhibidores selectivos y no selectivos de ciclooxigenasa / Comparative legal framework for the dispensing of medicinal products in pharmacies in the different member states of the European Union

La dispensación es el acto llevado a cabo por un farmacéutico o bajo su supervisión, destinado a garantizar que los pacientes reciban los medicamentos en las dosis precisas según sus requerimientos individuales, durante el periodo de tiempo adecuado, con la información para su correcto uso, y de acuerdo con la normativa vigente. Con el fin de comprender este acto se ha analizado previamente el concepto de medicamento, los estudios que debe cursar un farmacéutico, y la regulación de los conceptos de ordenación farmacéutica, así como de las oficinas de farmacia en la Unión Europea, con el objetivo final, de comparar el acto de dispensación en cada uno de países de la Unión Europea.Para realizar dicha comparación, se ha traducido, analizado e interpretado cada una de las normas que afectan directamente al acto de dispensación de medicamentos en cada Estado miembro. Los aspectos que se han investigado son: la obligatoriedad de presencia de un farmacéutico en la oficina de farmacia; la venta de medicamentos en establecimientos distintos de las oficinas de farmacia; la capacidad de sustitución de aquellos medicamentos sujetos a prescripción médica por el farmacéutico; y, la regulación de la venta online de medicamentos sujetos a prescripción médica. Si bien es cierto que se ha concluido que la presencia del farmacéutico es obligatoria en el 99% de los países, no se ha encontrado una armonía total en la normativa del resto de parámetros objeto de comparación en el presente trabajo de investigación. (AU)

Dispensing is the act carried out by a pharmacist or under his supervision, aimed at ensuring that patients receive the medicines in the precise doses according to their individual requirements, for the appropriate period, with the information for their correct use, and in accordance with current regulations. To understand this act, the concept of medicine, the studies that a pharmacist must take, the regulation of the concepts of pharmaceutical management, as well as the pharmacy offices in the European Union have been previously analyzed. Finally, compare the act of dispensing in each of the countries of the European Union.To make that comparison, each of the rules directly affecting the act of dispensing medicinal products in each Member State has been translated, analysed and interpreted. The aspects that have been investigated have been: the obligatory presence of a pharmacist in the pharmacy office; the sale of medicinal products in establishments other than pharmacies; the ability to replace those medicinal products subject to medical prescription by the pharmacist; and, the regulation of the online sale of medicines subject to medical prescription. Although it is true that it has been concluded that the presence of the pharmacist is mandatory in 99% of the countries, no total harmony has been found in the regulations of the rest of the parameters subject to comparison in this research work. (AU)

Challenges related to data protection in clinical research before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: An exploratory study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought global disruption to health, society and economy, including to the conduct of clinical research. In the European Union (EU), the legal and ethical framework for research is complex and divergent. Many challenges exist in relation to the interplay of the various applicable rules, particularly with respect to compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This study aimed to gain insights into the experience of key clinical research stakeholders [investigators, ethics committees (ECs), and data protection officers (DPOs)/legal experts working with clinical research sponsors] across the EU and the UK on the main challenges related to data protection in clinical research before and during the pandemic. Materials and methods: The study consisted of an online survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews. Data collection occurred between April and December 2021. Survey data was analyzed descriptively, and the interviews underwent a framework analysis. Results and conclusion: In total, 191 respondents filled in the survey, of whom fourteen participated in the follow-up interviews. Out of the targeted 28 countries (EU and UK), 25 were represented in the survey. The majority of stakeholders were based in Western Europe. This study empirically elucidated numerous key legal and ethical issues related to GDPR compliance in the context of (cross-border) clinical research. It showed that the lack of legal harmonization remains the biggest challenge in the field, and that it is present not only at the level of the interplay of key EU legislative acts and national implementation of the GDPR, but also when it comes to interpretation at local, regional and institutional levels. Moreover, the role of ECs in data protection was further explored and possible ways forward for its normative delineation were discussed. According to the participants, the pandemic did not bring additional legal challenges. Although practical challenges (for instance, mainly related to the provision of information to patients) were high due to the globally enacted crisis measures, the key problematic issues on (cross-border) health research, interpretations of the legal texts and compliance strategies remained largely the same.

Higher Education and Universal Design in Tanzania. A New Model of Inclusion and Sustainable Development.

The need to create a more inclusive society in Tanzania is confronted with a discrepancy between the aims of a regulatory framework, aimed at making Higher Education spaces inclusive, and the question of the right of access to built environments, particularly in universities. The study presents the pilot case of the RUCU's Learning Center for Disabilities to demonstrate that the combination of UDL, architectural accessibility and international cooperation can give impetus to new research and application themes, creating innovative models and good practices to be disseminated for a new shared awareness.