The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has withdrawn its directive introducing a pre-export verification of conformity programme for certain unregulated imports from China.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau withdrew the directive in its entirety, with immediate effect, through a notice published in the Government Gazette on September 22.
Certificates of conformity are therefore no longer required under the directive as supporting documentation for imports of products within its scope.
The Cape Port Liaison Forum (PLF), an initiative of the Cape Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the decision.
“We are very happy that this matter has now been put to bed,” said PLF Chairman Terry Gale.
The directive, published on March 20, would have required affected goods to obtain a certificate of conformity in China before shipment to South Africa, confirming compliance with applicable South African national standards.
The programme was due to become mandatory on September 20. However, implementation was suspended in June following comments received through the World Trade Organization’s technical barriers to trade process, consultations with the Chinese embassy and industry feedback.
Under the withdrawal notice, no new applications for certificates of conformity will be accepted or processed under the directive. Pending applications will be administratively closed and applicants notified accordingly.
Existing obligations under compulsory specifications and other applicable customs, border management, consumer protection, health, safety and sector-specific legislation remain in force.
The notice does not give a reason for withdrawing the directive.
