Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

01 June 2010 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 33059, 1 April 2010 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Amendment To The Compulsory Specification For Motor Vehicles Of Category M2/3 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for motor vehicle models of category M2 and M3, and minibuses, not previously registered or licensed in South Africa, designed or adapted for operation on a public road. NOTE Except where stated otherwise, a semi-trailer bus should comply with a/l the requirements of this specification, and. in addition, with any compulsory requirements for the category 0 or N portions of the combination
not covered by this specification.
1.2 The requirements of this specification shall, in so far as the parts already incorporated are concerned, apply in respect of an incomplete motor vehicle model supplied for further manufacture by one manufacturer to another, and the entire speCification shall apply to the vehicle after completion thereof by the last-mentioned manufacturer.
1.3 This specification does not apply to experimental or to prototype vehicles constructed or imported by the original manufacturers or importers for the purpose of testing, assessment or development.
1.4 The relevant requirements of this specification shall take effect on the dates as specified in schedule 1
1.5 Where a South African national standard, including an international standard or a UN ECE regulation adopted by South Africa as a national standard, is incorporated by reference into this specification, only the technical requirements/specification for the commodity and the tests to verify the compliance, apply 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

3.9 Requirements for load distribution between axles and loading conditions
3.9.1The load distribution of a stationary vehicle on level ground shall be determined in two
conditions:
a) unladen kerb mass, as specified in 3.9.3; and
b) laden, as specified in 3.9.4.
3.9.2 The front axle or axles shall carry not less than the percentage of the load mass shown in
table 1 below (see the Regulations for details):
3.9.3 Unladen, means the vehicle In running order, unoccupied and unladen but complete with fuel, coolant, lubricant, tools and spare wheel, with the addition of 63 kg for the mass of the driver and 63 kg for the mass of the crew if there is a crew seat.
3.9.4 Laden, means the vehicle unladen as described in 3.9.3 with the addition of a mass Q on each passenger seat, a number, corresponding to the authorized number of standing passengers, of masses Q uniformly distributed over the area S1, plus a mass equal to a, uniformly distributed in the baggage compartments plus, where appropriate, a mass equal to ax uniformly distributed over the surface area of the roof equipped for the carriage of baggage.
3.9.5 The values of Q for the different classes of vehicle are specified in table 2 below (see the Regulations for details).
3.9.6 B, in kilograms, shall have a numerical value not less than 100 )( V (where V is the total volume of the luggage compartment, in cubic metres).
3.9.7 BX shall exert a pressure of not less than 75 kg/m2 over the surface area of the roof equipped for the carriage of baggage.
3.10 Requirements for area available for passengers
3.10.1 The total surface area S0 available for passengers is calculated by deducting from the total area of the floor of the vehicle
a) the area of the driver's compartment,
b) the area of steps at doors and any step of depth less than 30 cm,
c) the area of any part over which the vertical clearance is less than 135 cm measured from the floor, and
d) the area of any part of the articulated section(s) of an articulated bus or coach to which part access is prevented by handrails and partitions.
3.10.2 The surface area S1 available for standing passengers (only in the case of vehicles of class I and class II, in which the carriage of standing passengers is allowed) is calculated by deducting from S0
a) in the case of vehicles of class I and class II:
1) the area of all parts of the floor the slope of which exceeds 8 %;
2) the area of all parts of the floor that are not accessible to a standing passenger when all the seats are occupied;
3) the area of all parts of the floor where the clear height above the floor is less than 190 cm or, in the case of the section of the gangway situated above and behind the rear axle, and the attaching parts thereof, less than 180 cm (hand-holds shall not be taken into account in this connection) ;
4) the area of the floor forward of a vertical plane that passes through the centre of the seating surface of the driver's seat (in its rearmost position) and through the centre of the exterior rear-view mirror mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle;
5) the area of the floor 30 cm in front of any seat;
6) any part of the surface of the floor (e.g. a corner or edge) on which it is not possible to place any part of a rectangle of 400 mm x 300 mm;
7) any area of the floor that is not capable of circumscribing a rectangle of 400 mm x 300 mm; and
b) in the case of vehicles of class II, the area of all parts that are not part of a gangway.
3.11 Requirements for number of passengers accommodated
3.11.1 There shall be on the vehicle a number Ps of seating places, other than folding seats. If the vehicle is of class I or class II, the number Ps shall be at least equal to the number of square metres of floor area available for passengers and crew (if any), rounded down to the nearest whole number.
3.11.2 The total number N of seating and standing places in vehicles shall be calculated such that
both of the following conditions are fulfilled:
N~~ {UNDERLINE <}~~{P _func s}~+~{S_func 1} over {S_func sp}
and
N~~ {UNDERLINE <}~~{MT-C-MV-U-L-times-V-c-R-times-VX} over {Q}
where
Ps is the number of seating places;
S1 is the surface area, in square metres, available for standing passengers;
Ssp is the area assumed for one standing passenger, in square metres per standing
passenger;
MT is the technically permissible maximum mass, in kilograms;
MV is the unladen mass, in kilograms;
L is the specific load of baggage, in kilograms per cubic metre, in the baggage compartment(s);
V is the total volume, in cubic metres, of the baggage compartments;
R is the specific mass of baggage on the roof area, in kilograms per square metre;
VX is the total surface area, in square metres, available for baggage to be carried on the roof;
Q is the mass, in kilograms, assumed for the load on each passenger seating and standing place.
In the case of class III vehicles, S1 = O.
The values of Q, Ssp. Land R for every class of vehicle are as given in table 2.
3.11.3 If a vehicle of class II or class III is approved as a class I vehicle, the mass of baggage carried in the baggage compartment accessible only from outside the vehicle is not taken into account.
3.11.4 The calculated mass on each axle of the vehicle shall not exceed the values of their respective technically permissible maximum values.

5 Requirements concerning metrological data
5.1 Vehicle dimensions
The dimensions of a vehicle shall comply with the applicable requirements of the relevant
regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996).
5.2 Information plates
5.2.1 Data plates
5.2.1.1 A vehicle shall have a metal data plate or plates affixed by rivets, or by welding, or by any other method that will achieve permanency of attachment during the life of the vehicle, in a conspicuous and readily accessible position on a part not subject to replacement.
5.2.1.2 As an alternative to the above, a data plate may be a self-adhesive tamper proof metal or plastics label that is not transferable from one vehicle to another, is clearly legible, and undergoes permanent and obvious damage on removal. The self-adhesive tamper proof label shall be resistant to engine oils, to engine coolants, to normal engine temperatures and to humidity. In addition, it shall have permanency characteristics similar to those of the plate(s) described in 5.2.1.1.
6.1 Superstructure (roll-over protection)
The superstructure of a single-decked vehicle, excluding a minibus, shall comply with the relevant
requirements given in SABS 1563: 1992, The strength of large passenger vehicle superstructures
(roll-over protection), as published by Government Notice no. 216 of 19 February 1993.
6.2 Tilt angle
A vehicle, excluding a minibus, shall not overturn when it is tilted to either side at an angle of up to
23° from the upright position.
The conditions of vehicle loading for the tilt test shall comply with the requirements of the relevant
regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996).
6.3 Speedometers
A vehicle, excluding a semi-trailer bus, that is capable of exceeding a speed of 25 km/h on a level road, shall be equipped with speedometer equipment that complies with the relevant requirements given in SABS 1441: 1987, Motor vehicle safety specification for speedometer equipment on motor vehicles, as published by Government Notice no. 1878 of 4 September 1987.
Provided that any speed recording device fitted as speedometer equipment shall be exempted from
the requirements of the said SABS 1441.
6.4.3 Transmission
A self-propelled vehicle shall be equipped with a transmission that enables it to be controlled and driven in both a forward and a reverse direction.
6.5 Fuel system
The orifice for filling a fuel tank on a vehicle shall be fitted with an effective cap that prevents incidental ingress of water or other foreign matter. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3.9 to 3.11
Regulation 5.2.1
Regulation 6.3, 6.4.3 and 6.5 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Motor vehicle of category M2/3
Category M2 motor vehicle, hereinafter referred to as a vehicle motor vehicle that is used for the carriage of passengers, that has at least four wheels, that has seating accommodation for more than eight passengers in addition to the driver of the vehicle, and Reproduced by Sabinet Online in terms of Government Printer’s Copyright Authority No. 10505 dated 02 February 1998 that has a maximum mass not exceeding 5 t
Category M3 motor vehicle, hereinafter referred to as a vehicle motor vehicle that is used for the carriage of passengers, that has at least four wheels, that has seating accommodation for more than eight passengers in addition to the driver of the vehicle, and that has a maximum mass exceeding 5 t 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries