Problems relating to Trade and Investment on South Africa
19. Industrial standards, approval of safety standards |
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Issue |
Issue details |
Requests |
Reference |
| (1) Rigorous Certification Standard for Telephone Line | - Rigorous requirement is incorporated into the SA standard, more precisely, Lightning Protection which is by far more rigorous than the regular standard of other countries. | - It is requested that GOSA adjust the requirement to the similar level with EU. | - ICASA TE001 Clause17 - Lightning Protection |
| (2) Difficulty in Acquisition of Certificate of Conformance (COC) | - GOSA has mandated immunity conformance on safety standard since January 2011. However, industries have not yet sufficiently caught up with the new requirements. Non-conforming products still circulate in the market, while SA authorities have not yet caught up with the responsive measures. - GOSA requires acquisition of Certificate of Conformance (COC) on import and sales of goods that incorporate AC power source. However, shipment delays frequently occur due to the long time necessary for acquisition of COC. |
- It is requested that GOSA thoroughly ensures observance of the safety standard throughout the importers in concern. - It is requested that GOSA ensures National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), as a certifying body, takes measures to expedite processing COC applications. |
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| (3) Tobacco Plain Packaging Legislation (TPPL) on Tobacco Products | - GSA contemplates introduction of legislation substantially the same as TPPL introduced in Australia. If it is introduced, the identification capabilities (between the products), being the essential faculty of trademarks will get material damage, resulting in the loss of "Brand Value", and consequently damaging the sound market competitions. More precise concerns include, without limitation, purchasers unwittingly purchase unintended products from the difficulty of making distinction, move to lower priced products, and finally, closing the door for new entry into the market. In addition, simpler packages facilitate counterfeiting activities, resulting in the growing counterfeits in the market. (Note) TPPL, a measure to standardise configuration, color, etc., of individual tobacco package, largely restrict the space on the packaging by the mandate to print specifically, "Warnings with Photo" (in the 75% of the total area front, and 90% back). |
- As described in the left column, TPPL infringes upon intellectual property right of business operators, consequently hinders the industrial development through sound market competitions. On the other hand, prevention of juvenile smoking is deemed possible through education, with tightened penalties, etc. It is therefore requested that GOF fully appreciates the issues described in the left column and implements the measures based on the principle of proportionate general rules. - GOJ is requested to fully appreciate the issues on the left column and takes positive measures accordingly. |
- Undecided (Minister of Health expressed intent to its introduction). |
| (4) Stringent Vehicle Homologation Requirements | - Vehicle homologation requirements are stringent, following the EU standards. Moreover, they are based on steering wheels on the right. It is more difficult to obtain homologation for the models without British specifications. | - It is requested that GSA follows the New Zealand model, accepting plural standards, EU, Australia, Japan, USA, etc. so that should specific requirements exist, addition of the homologation corresponding to the specific requirements suffices. | |
| (5) Delayed Inspection of Safety Inspection (Letter Of Authority (LOA)) on Imports | - At a time when simultaneous product introduction worldwide is a common occurrence, it takes 120-business days (sometimes 6-months in effect) to obtain Letter of Authority (LOA) for Safety Standard Inspection (SIA) on imported goods. The loss of sales opportunity climbs sky high from 6-months delay for introduction, frustrating timely proposal/supply of merchandise. | - It is requested that GSA: -- expedites SIA to complete SIA within one month, and -- secures transparency. |
- Government Notice R 89 dated 6 February 2009 published in Government Gazette 31844 |
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