THE NCC ENTERS INTO A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH THE SABS

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) have entered into a three-year partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU is aimed at collaborating on various issues of interest to strengthen consumer protection.

The parties undertook to collaborate on and develop programmes, projects, and activities, including joint compliance inspections or market monitoring and joint outreach programmes. Key to the MoU is the NCC’s access to the relevant South African and International standards through preferential subscription services, licensing, and other Content Solutions offered by the SABS.

To help minimise the sale of unsafe foods, the NCC’s Acting Commissioner, Mr Hardin Ratshisusu, said, “With this MoU, we are not only formalising a partnership between our two institutions, but we are also responding to this clarion call, at the same time reaffirming our shared commitment to ensuring safe products in the marketplace. The NCC will gain access to the SABS’s Examination and Laboratory Testing, including but not limited to Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather goods, to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The SABS Laboratories will assist the NCC immensely to test contaminated foodstuffs and substandard household items to ascertain compliance with the CPA, various SANS and other applicable prescripts of various laws. 

Standards on product quality and safety are critical in ensuring that suppliers provide products of good quality, for the competitiveness of products in both domestic and international markets.

As part of the agreement, the NCC will also participate in relevant SABS Technical Committees responsible for developing standards. This platform will ensure that standards foster a fair, accessible, and sustainable marketplace by safeguarding consumers from deceptive or harmful practices and enhancing consumer awareness. Standards also help to improve levels of quality, safety, reliability, and efficiency.

“The signing of this MoU with the NCC marks a new chapter in our shared commitment to protect and empower South African consumers.  As sister organisations under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and as neighbours under one roof, the SABS and the NCC are uniquely positioned to work hand in hand.  Together, we will ensure safer products, stronger compliance, and greater consumer confidence in our markets,” said Mr Blake Mosley-Lefatola, SABS Acting Chief Executive Officer.

Acknowledging the importance of SABS’s role in the consumer space, the NCC’s Acting Commissioner, Mr Hardin Ratshisusu, said, “There should be no room for poor quality products in the marketplace in South Africa. This MoU recognises the critical synergies between the NCC and the SABS in consumer protection. Today, we are not only formalising a partnership between our two institutions, but we are also responding to this clarion call, at the same time reaffirming our shared commitment to ensuring safe products in the marketplace”.

Ends.

Issued jointly by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

For media enquiries National Consumer Commission Phetho Ntaba (Spokesperson/MLO) 082 809 2031 or 012 065 2040

For SABS: Mpodi Manaka Acting Manager: Stakeholder Manager 083 604 3111