Calls for a crackdown on unsafe and illicit tyre exports

The South African Tyre Manufacturers’ Conference (SATMC) has called on the national legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry to work with relevant industry stakeholders to formulate a part-worn standard for second-hand tyres.

“Everyone remains concerned about road accidents in the country. The safety of our citizens comes first,” said Joanmariae Fubbs, committee chairperson, after receiving a briefing from, amongst others, SATMC, the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) and the National Regulator of Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) on the effectiveness of the processing of Letters of Authority by the NRCS.

SATMC said an industry standard could “significantly” contribute to improving the regulated sale of second hand tyres and reduce the “size and proliferation” of the illegal import market.

In the briefing document, SATMC added that it would create a fair playing field between domestic manufacturers and legally compliant importers and domestic resellers of compliant second hand tyres.


The briefing document further recommended the development of a local tyre testing facility, pointing out that the NRCS and South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) required urgent collaboration and commitment to finding a solution for local impartial testing.