NRCS takes over from SAPS in Durban

Those who are upset by the workings of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) are the unlucky few who have been targeted by this body, set up as the policing arm of the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS), according to an FTW source. Indeed, the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) has found the NRCS to be acting as a valuable control over the importation of poor (and often dangerous) quality products, added this source – who is familiar with the regular discussions between the two bodies. “Saaff has established a good relationship with them,” he said. He also provided figures which rather negate statements made to FTW by angry importers that NRCS was stopping large numbers of containers and causing widespread grief to the import community. From the latest data release, the FTW source pointed out that – between April and July – the NRCS had profiled 3 000 containers. A total that represented only 2% of all import containers. Also, that the regulator had only stopped and examined 600 boxes, and had registered a 17% hit rate. “People are importing a lot of rubbish,” our source added, “or are just not bothering to find out just what they should do before they import products that don’t comply with SA standards.” He also pointed out that the letter of approval (LOA) – required before the NRCS will release a stopped box – was nothing new. “It has been on the go for years now,” he told FTW, “and has been part of the policy of the SABS.” Previously, the SABS accepted that importers would voluntarily apply for an LOA before importing their goods. But now, with the NRCS policing imports, the shippers have to have an LOA if their goods are on the regulator’s list of products having to prove compliance with SA standards – known as the “compulsory specification list”. Also, the NRCS is becoming more visible because in Durban it has taken over from the SA Police Service (SAPS) the stopping of boxes suspected of containing noncompliant products. “That’s not the case in Harrismith or Johannesburg yet,” our source said. “But I hope that happens soon.” As of last week, the import industry may also be a bit more alert to the conditions laid down for the NRCS by the three governing acts: The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act (no. 5 of 2008); the Trade Metrology Act (no. 77 of 1973); and the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (no. 103 of 1977). This after the NRCS conducted its inaugural two-day Regulatory Conference in Johannesburg on September 17-18.