Fight against sub-standard products continues

Durban – The fight against the importation of sub-standard products will continue, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the destruction of non-complying goods function that was hosted by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in Durban, Davies said that those involved in importing and dealing in non-complying products will be dealt with by government.

Government and its agencies, he said, will double their efforts to make sure that sub-standard, unsafe and that harmful products are locked out of the market.

“The majority of South African companies and industry associations do comply with the standards set by the NRCS. We need to up our game in making sure that those who do not comply do so and encourage collaborations with various stakeholders, including the private sector, that will lead to fair competition, while protecting consumers and manufacturers,” said Davies.

To address the issue of sub-standard products, the strengthening of partnerships with other government departments and the private sector was needed.

Davies said this will tighten the regulation activities, sustain and encourage fair competition, while protecting consumers against unethical and exploitative trade practices.

CEO of the NRCS, Asogan Moodley, said the NRCS to date had confiscated approximately 15 million non-compliant products to the value of R10.2 million.

“We are more determined to locate and destroy non-compliant products for the benefit of our consumers, manufacturers and the economy,” said Moodley.

Moodley encouraged the country to be more vigilant of the damage that unchecked goods can do to the sustainability of businesses and the health of South Africans.

The non-complying products were confiscated by NRCS inspectors while conducting market surveillance, aimed at ensuring compliance with compulsory specifications and ridding the country of unsafe products. A significant percentage of the products were intercepted at the ports of entry, including sea ports and inland ports. – SAnews.gov.za