Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

20 April 2004 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice R. 209 (Government Gazette 26014) Of 20 February 2004 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For Agricultural Tractors 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for agricultural tractors that have a maximum design speed not exceeding 40 km/h, and that have not previously been registered in South Africa.
1.2 This specification does not apply to:
a) experimental or prototype agricultural tractors that have been constructed or imported for the purpose of testing, assessment or development; and
b) industrial tractors, earthmoving tractors and purpose-built forestry tractors,
1.3 The relevant requirements of the specification that take effect on any specified date do not apply to agricultural tractors manufactured or imported before the operative date given in schedule 1 of this specification.
1.4 Where a South African national standard, including an international standard or an ECE regulation adopted by Standards South Africa as a national standard, is incorporated by reference into this specification, only the technical requirements/specifications for the commodity, and the tests to verify compliance, apply 

Description of the measure

3.1.2 Lighting
3.1.2.1 An agricultural tractor shall be fitted with
a) dipped-beam headlights,
b) direction indicators,
c) hazard warning lights,
d) rear position lights, and
e) rear retroreflectors.
3.1.2.2 The lights and retroreflectors listed in 3.1.2.1 shall be so fitted to an agricultural tractor that they comply with the relevant requirements given in SANS 20086/ECE R86 (SABS ECE R86), Uniform provisions concerning the approval of agricultural or forestry tractors with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices, provided that:
a) the dipped-beam headlamps shall have sufficient inclination to comply with the relevant regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996);
b) the height of rear retroreflectors shall not exceed 2 100 mm; and
c) the height of the lamps shall not exceed 3 500 mm.
3.1.2.3 Where an agricultural tractor is fitted with lights that are not listed in 3.1.2.1, their installation shall comply with the relevant requirements given in the said SANS 20086/ECE R86 (SABS ECE R86), provided that the maximum height for all lamps other than
a) end-outline marker lamps,
b) rear registration plate lamps,
c) reversing lamps, and
d) main-beam headlamps,
shall be increased to 3 500 mm.

3.2 Requirements for rear-view mirrors (if fitted)
3.2.1 General requirements for rear-view mirrors
3.2.1.1 Where an agricultural tractor is equipped with one exterior rear-view mirror, the mirror shall be fitted to the right-hand side of the tractor.
3.2.1.2 The exterior rear-view mirror shall be placed so that the driver, when sitting on the driver's seat in the normal driving position, has a clear view of that part of the road as defined under the field of vision (3.2.1.6).
3.2.1.3 Exterior rear-view mirrors shall not protrude more than 0,20 m on either side of the longitudinal plane of the agricultural tractor, beyond the overall width of the tractor, measured without the rear-view mirrors.
3.2.1.4 Subject to 3.2.1.3, exterior rear-view mirrors may protrude beyond the permissible maximum width of 2,5m.
3.2.1.5 Rear-view mirrors shall be adjustable.
3.2.1.6 The field of vision of the right-hand exterior rear-view mirror shall be such that the driver can see,
at least as far as the horizon, that part of the road to the rear.
3.2.1.7 Rear-view mirrors shall be fitted in such a way that they remain steady during normal driving
conditions.
3.2.2 Specific requirements for rear-view mirrors
Rear-view mirrors shall comply with the relevant requirements for class I and class II mirrors given in SANS 20046/ECE R46 (SABS ECE R46), Uniform provisions concerning the approval of rear-view mirrors, and of motor vehicles with regard to the installation of rear-view mirrors.
3.3.1.1 If a windscreen is fitted to an agricultural tractor, it shall be of safety glass that complies with the relevant requirements given in SANS 1191 (SABS 1191), Safety glass for vehicles - High penetration resistant laminated safety glass for vehicles, or SANS 1193 (SABS 1193), Toughened safety glass for vehicles.
3.4 Requirements for windscreen wipers
Windscreens shall be fitted with at least one windscreen wiper that is capable of operation by means other than manual operation, and the windscreen wiper blade, when in operation, shall effectively wipe the outside of the windscreen directly in front of the drivers' forward line of vision.
3.6 Requirements for controls
3.6.1 All controls that are fitted to an agricultural tractor, and that are required for the operation of the vehicle on a public road, shall be so located that the driver can reach and operate them when he/she is in the normal driving position, with the seat belt fastened (if a seat belt is fitted).
3.6.2 An agricultural tractor shall be of a right-hand drive configuration, except as in 3.6.3.
3.6.3 An agricultural tractor may have a central steering configuration.
3.7 Requirements for emergency exits
If an agricultural tractor is fitted with a canopy or a roll-over protection structure (ROPS), there shall be a means of exit (either a door or a window) such that the driver and passenger(s) (if any) can escape when the tractor is lying on either of its two sides.
3.8 Requirements for roll-over protection structures
If an agricultural tractor is fitted with a roll-over protection structure, such structure shall comply with the relevant requirements given in SANS 1468 (SABS 1468), Roll-over protection structures for wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (static testing), and shall be indelibly and visibly marked as such by the letters ROPS.
4.3 Suppression of noise emission
With the exception of noise emission originating from audible warning devices, any noise emitted by an agricultural tractor, when measured in accordance with SANS 10205 (SABS 0205), The measurement of noise emitted by motor vehicles in motion, shall not exceed the following levels:
a) for tractors having an unladen mass exceeding 1,75 tons: 89 dB; and
b) for tractors having an unladen mass not exceeding 1,75 tons: 85 dB.
5 Requirements concerning metrological data
5.1 Dimensions
The dimensions of an agricultural tractor shall comply with the requirements of the applicable regulations
promulgated under the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996).
5.2.1 Data plates
5.2.1.1 An agricultural tractor shall have a metal data plate or plates affixed by rivets or by welding or by
any other method that will achieve similar permanency of attachment during the life of the tractor. The
data plate(s) shall be affixed in a conspicuous position, to a door or post, to a panel in the engine
compartment, to the dash panel or in the tractor cab.
5.2.1.2 As an alternative to 5.2.1.1, a data plate may be a self-adhesive, tamper-proof label which
a) is clearly legible,
b) is not transferable from one tractor to another, and
c) undergoes permanent and obvious damage on removal.
The self-adhesive, tamper-proof label shall be resistant to engine oils, engine coolants, normal engine
temperatures and humidity. In addition, it shall have permanency characteristics similar to those of a
metal plate.
6.1 Speedometers
Where a speedometer is fitted to an agricultural tractor, it shall have an accuracy of 15 % of the speed
measured. If a speedometer is not fitted to an agricultural tractor that is capable of exceeding a speed of
25 km/h, a notice, in indelible form, that gives the maximum speed of the tractor in the highest gear, shall
be affixed in a position where it is easily visible to the driver when he is in the normal driving position.
6.2 Engine
The engine of an agricultural tractor shall be provided with a cover such that any part that constitutes a
source of danger is out of the normal reach of a person.
6.3 Transmission
An agricultural tractor, the tare of which exceeds 570 kg, shall be equipped with a transmission that
enables it to be controlled and driven in both a forward and a reverse direction.
6.4 Tyres
The tyres fitted to the wheels of an agricultural tractor shall comply with SANS 1550-6 (SABS 1550-6), Motor vehicle tyres and rims - Dimensions and loads - Part 6: Agricultural vehicle tyres, and shall conform to the required dimensions and loads compatible with the specified or permitted rims in the case of pneumatic tyres for agricultural tractors. Where non-pneumatic tyres are used, these shall comply with the relevant regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996). 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3.1.2 , 3.2, 3.3.1.1, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Agricultural tractors that have a maximum design speed not exceeding 40 km/h, and that have not previously been registered in South Africa. 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries