RC Myburgh

Several companies in the city that allegedly trade in pirate products were targeted by officials of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specification (NRCS) this week.  The main purpose of the operation is to check on pirate products and non compliance products.

NRCS is a public entity that administers compulsory specifications, otherwise known as technical regulations, on behalf of the Minister of Trade and Industry.

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act was gazetted on 4 July 2008 and took effect on 1 September 2008. It provides for the administration and maintenance of compulsory specifications in the interest of public safety and health as well as for environmental protection.

The right of the public to health, safety and environmental protection is entrenched in South Africa’s Constitution. The NRCS protects these rights by administering and enforcing compulsory specifications in the interest of public health, safety and protecting the environment.

Officials of NRCS together with the municipal head of public safety, Mr Joey Graaff and his team, the police, municipal traffic department and the Department of Health and Social Development participated in the operation.  Dakota Electronics was the first of many big traders to be inspected by the NRCS’ business unit specialist for electro technical and gaming equipment, Mr Cameron Ngwenya, on Monday.

The storeroom of Dakota Electronics was locked and the staff had to provide proof of certificates for products. Failing to do so the affected products were loaded on trucks to be kept safely until compliance can be proved.  On Tuesday Jumbo Foods and Solly’s Discount World were also visited by the NRCS. Other businesses were on the list for Wednesday.

According to Graaff such an operation was needed to put some pressure not only on big trading names but on the black market as well.

The NRCS left no stone unturned in their investigation.

The regulator enforces minimum safety and environmental requirements for frozen marine products (fish, shellfish and crustaceans) and canned and processed meat and fish, vehicles and aftermarket vehicle components including tyres, electrical and electronic products and components, buildings and construction materials, disinfectants, personal protective equipment, firearms and shooting ranges and plastic bags.