Importers of certain Chinese goods will be required to secure pre-export certification before shipment under a new directive issued by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to ensure they conform to South African safety standards.
DTIC Minister Parks Tau issued the directive in terms of section 33 of the Standards Act, 2008, on Friday.
Under the new rule, importers will require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) confirming conformity with identified applicable SA National Standards (Sans) or “recognised reference standards” for affected shipments from China. The document will be processed under existing customs and import control frameworks.
The directive, published in the Government Gazette No. 54374, establishes a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme that “aims to facilitate the application of Sans to certain unregulated products imported into the Republic”.
According to the directive, the new programme applies “only to products that are not subject to compulsory specifications administered by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)”. The programme aims to protect consumers and local manufacturing industries from unregulated imports.
Among products that fall under the directive are skin-lightening creams, sanitary towels, hair relaxers and conditioners, plastic utensils, non-stick pans, aluminium cookware and pots. It also covers furniture, including wardrobes, office desks and chairs, cots as well as bicycles, plastic toys, generators, protective sports gear, gas stoves, plumbing and construction materials.
“The conformity assessment activities contemplated in this directive shall be undertaken within the legislative mandate of the SABS,” the directive notes.
It explains that any cooperation with foreign bodies, including the China Certification & Inspection Group (CCIC), “shall operate as an administrative and technical cooperation mechanism and shall not have independent regulatory force”.
No new enforcement powers are created. Compliance will be verified by the South African Revenue Service and the Border Management Authority within their statutory mandates.
The directive provides a transitional period of six months after publication in the Government Gazette before it comes into effect.
The directive takes effect on September 20. Importers and freight forwarders handling qualifying consignments from China are advised to prepare for the additional documentation requirement.
Enquiries may be directed to Amos Mbele at AMbele@thedtic.gov.za.
