South Africa will from September 2026 require importers of selected products from China to secure Certificates of Conformity confirming compliance with local standards before the goods enter the country.
In a move aimed at curbing the influx of cheap, non‑compliant imports that have long undercut domestic manufacturers, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition announced the new Pre‑Export Verification of Conformity programme which will apply to products not already covered by compulsory specifications, including items such as electricity generators and solar panels.
The directive follows years of complaints from local producers who argue that weak enforcement has allowed sub‑standard imports to dominate the market, eroding competitiveness and contributing to factory closures and job losses.
Industry groups say the surge in low‑cost Chinese goods has distorted pricing, weakened industrial capacity and undermined South Africa’s efforts to rebuild its manufacturing base.
Under the new system, conformity assessments will be carried out through a cooperation arrangement between the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the China Certification and Inspection Group, with SABS retaining custodianship of the certification scheme.
The directive will rely on existing border‑control mechanisms involving the South African Revenue Service and the Border Management Authority to prevent non‑compliant goods from entering the country.
Government officials say the programme is intended to close regulatory gaps and ensure that imported products meet the same safety and quality requirements as those produced locally, a step they argue is essential to restoring fair competition and protecting consumers.
JN/APA