Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B31: Labelling requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

05 April 2010 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No.32916 , 5 February 2010 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Amendment To The Compulsory Specification For Motor Vehicles Of Category O3/O4 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for vehicle models of category O3 and O4 designed or adapted for operation on a public road at speeds greater than 40 kph, including new vehicle models and vehicle models not previously registered or licensed in South Africa.
This specification also covers vehicles of category O3 and O4 designed and adapted for the purpose of the carriage of passengers, as in a semi-trailer bus, and these are also subject to further relevant requirements of the specification for category M2 and M3 motor vehicles (buses).
1.2 The requirements of the specification shall, in so far as the parts already incorporated are concerned, apply in respect of an incomplete vehicle 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 The specification does not apply to experimental or to prototype trailers constructed or imported by the original manufacturer or by importers for the purpose of testing, assessment or development, or to those military trailers that embody ordnance or missile systems, or to agricultural trailers.
1.4 The relevant requirements of this specification shall take effect on the date as specified in Schedule 1.
1.5 Where a South African national standard, including an international standard, or a UN ECE regulation adopted by the South Africa, is incorporated by reference into this specification, only the technical requirements/specification for the commodity, and the tests to verify the compliance, apply. 

Description of the measure

4.2.1 Data plate
A trailer shall have permanently affixed to it in a conspicuous position, and visible from the left-hand side of the trailer, a data plate or plates. The following information shall be legibly and permanently imprinted or stamped
on the data plate (s):
a) the gross vehicle mass, in kilograms, prefixed by the letters GVM/BVM;
b) the gross axle mass-load of each axle, or gross axle unit mass-load of each axle unit, in kilograms,prefixed by the letters "GA/BA" or "GAU/BAE", as applicable; and
c) if the tailer is a semi-trailer, the gross kingpin mass-load in kilograms, prefixed by the letters "GKM/BSM"
d)The manufacturer's design intent, denoted by the wording "For public road operation", and
e) the month and the year of manufacture, denoted by four numeric digits , two for the month , followed by two for the year (for example, July 1987 would be denoted 0787).
4.2.2 Vehicle identification number (VIN)
A trailer shall have a vehicle identification number that complies with the relevant requirements given in
SABS ISO 3779 Road vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Content and structure and SABS ISO 4030:1983, Road vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Location and attachment. However, the requirements for the VIN, as given in clause 5 of the said SABS ISO 4030, shall, for the purpose of this compulsory specification, be taken to read as follows:

5 VIN attachment
5.1 The VIN shall be marked direct on any integral part of the vehicle; it may be either on the frame, or, for integral framebody units, on a part of the body not easily removed or replaced.
5.2 The VIN shall also be marked on the data plate.
5.3 Deleted.
5.4 The height of the roman letters and the arabic numerals of the VIN shall be as follows:
-at least 7 mm if marked in accordance with 5.1 (frame, body, etc.) on motor vehicles and trailers; and
-at least 3 mm when marked in accordance with 5.2 (data plate).

4.3 Provision for registration
Suitable space shall be provided on the data plate(s) referred to in 4.2.1
a) T ... kg (for tare);
b) V ... kg (for the permissible maximum trailer mass);
c) A . .. kg or AU/AE ... kg, as applicable (for the permissible axle mass-load of each axle or the
permissible axle unit mass-load of each axle unit); and
The responsibility for marking this information on the data plate(s) shall rest with the trailer manufacturer.
4.4 Axle brake data plates
Each axle on the trailer shall be provided with information applicable to the brake design, the particulars of which shall be permanently and legibly imprinted or stamped either on a data plate permanently affixed in a conspicuous position adjacent to the axle or on the plates as required by SABS ECE R13, given as follows
a) the axle make and serial number;
b) the brake chamber size and the brake lever length;
c) the maximum tyre size; and
d) brake lining material type and grade.
4.5 Measuring units
All gauges, indicators or instruments that are fitted to a motor vehicle and are calibrated in physical
units shall be calibrated in units as prescribed by the current applicable regulations promulgated
under the Measuring Units and National Measuring Standards Act, 1973 (Act 76 of 1973). 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 4.2 to 4.5 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Trailers of motor vehicles in categories O3/O4
a) category O3 are trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 3,5 metric ton but not exceeding 10 metric ton; and
b) category O4 are trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 10 metric ton 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries