Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

19 January 2011 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No.33763, 19 November 2010 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Amendment To The Compulsory Specification For Motor Vehicles Of Category N1 

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 N1, not previously registered or licensed in South Africa, and motor vehicle models assembled from new bodies and used parts from earlier designs of motor vehicle models, designed or adapted for operation on a public road.
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, In addition, the requirements shall apply to designs of bodies sold for the purposes of incorporating new or used parts of motor vehicle models previously homologated (or previously produced) by other manufacturers.
1.3 This specification does not apply to
a) experimental or prototype vehicles constructed or imported for the purpose of testing, assessment or development, or
b) a motor vehicle model that was manufactured before 1965, that was not previously registered or licensed in South Africa, and that is so certified by a motor club approved by the relevant Minister, or
c) motor vehicles designed or adapted principally for the purposes of motor sport competition, and which are homologated under the rules of the International Federation of the Automobile (FIA) and for which such homologation documentation is lodged with the Regulatory Authority, or
d) motor vehicles for which Type Approval was granted under European Small (Low Volume) Series alternative according to article 8 of the Directive EC/70/156, provided:-
i) that not more than 10 such vehicles are registered in South Africa each year, and
ii) copies of all relevant approval and test documentation are lodged with the Regulatory Authority.
1.4 The relevant requirements of this specification shall take effect on the dates 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

3.4 Requirements for controls, steering mechanism and audible warning
devices
3.4.1 Controls
3.4.1.1 General
All controls that are fitted to a vehicle, and that are required for the operation of the vehicle, shall be so located that the driver can reach and operate them when he is seated in the normal driving position:
Provided that in the case of vehicles of gross vehicle mass not exceeding 2500 kg, the normal driving position shall be with the seat belt fastened.
3.4.1.2 Right-hand drive
A vehicle shall be of a right-hand drive configuration, except as allowed in terms of 3.4.1.3.
3.4.1.3 Central steering
A vehicle may have a central steering configuration.
3.5 Requirements for door latches, hinges, entrances and exits
3.5.1 Door latches and hinges
Side doors fitted as a means of entrance or exit in a vehicle shall have door latches and hinges that comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS 1443: 1987 Motor vehicle safety specification for door latches and hinges, as published by Government Notice no. 2227 of 9 October 1987:
Provided that section 3 in annex 1 of the said SABS 1443 is excluded for the purposes of this
compulsory specification.
3.5.2 Entrances and exits
3.5.2.1 The means of entrance to and exit from a vehicle that is designed and constructed with a fixed hood and that has a tare exceeding 570 kg, shall be as follows:
a) at least one ready means of entrance and exit on the left and right sides of the vehicle, each such means being equipped with a permanent device that is capable of being operated from both the inside and the outside of the vehicle for the purpose of opening and closing; or
b) a means as specified in (a) above, provided on one side of the vehicle and, on the other side or at the back, an accessible means of escape, of size at least 450 mm x 450 mm, that is readily removable from both the inside and the outside of the vehicle or is equipped with a permanent device for opening and closing as specified in (a) above:
c) at least one ready means of entrance and exit at the back, if the vehicle has a separate passenger compartment that does not have entrances or exits and, if relevant, a ready means of escape as specified in (a) and (b) above or that does not afford passengers unobstructed access to the driving compartment.
3.5.2.2 The means of entrance and exit, and the means of escape shall be equipped with a door or other effective barrier, provided that the means of entrance and exit at the back of a motor vehicle need not be so equipped. Such door or other effective barrier shall be capable of being opened and closed from both the inside and the outside of the vehicle, provided that this provision shall not apply to the ready means of escape that has a barrier capable of being opened by being knocked out of its frame.
3.6 Requirements for seats, seat anchorages, restraining device anchorages, restraining devices (safety belts) and supplementary restraining devices (airbags)
3.6.1 Seats and seat anchorages
A vehicle shall be fitted with seats and seat anchorages that comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS 1429:1987, Motor vehicle safety specification for strength of seats and of their anchorages, as published by Government Notice no. 1878 of 4 September 1987.
3.6.2 Restraining device anchorages
All restraining devices that are fitted to a vehicle shall have restraining device anchorages that comply with the relevant requirements given in SASS 1430: 1987, Motor vehicle safety specification for anchorages for restraining devices in motor vehicles, as published by Government Notice no. 1878 of 4 September 1987.
3.6.3 Restraining devices (safety belts)
3.6.3.1 The restraining devices (safety belts) that are fitted to a vehicle shall comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS 1080:1983, Restraining devices (safety belts) for occupants of adult build in motor vehicles (Revised requirements), as published by Government Notice no. 264 of 17 February 1984.
3.6.3.2 The type and location of the restraining devices (safety belts) required to be fitted to a vehicle and the method of installation thereof shall comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS 0168: 1983, The installation of restraining devices (safety belts) in motor vehicles, as published by Government Notice no. 265 of 17 February 1984.
3.6.4 Child restraints
In the case of any vehicle manufactured with child restraints installed, such child restraints shall comply with the compulsory specification for Child- restraining devices for use in motor vehicles as published by Government Notice no .642 of 2 May 1997.
3.6.5 Supplementary restraining devices (airbags)
3.6.5.1 If a motor vehicle is fitted with an airbag assembly, it shall carry information to the effect that it is equipped with such an assembly.
3.6.5.1.1 In the case of a motor vehicle fitted with an airbag assembly intended to protect the driver, the information shall consist of the inscription "AIRBAG" located in the interior of the circumference of the steering wheel; this inscription shall be durably affixed and easily visible.
3.6.5.1.2 In the case of a motor vehicle fitted with a passenger airbag intended to protect the front seat occupants other than the driver, this information shall consist of a warning label. An example of a possible design of a pictogram is shown in figure 1.
3.6.5.2 A motor vehicle fitted with one or more passenger airbags shall carry information about the extreme hazard associated with the use of rearward-facing child restraints on seats equipped with airbag assemblies.
3.6.5.2.1 Every passenger seating position which is fitted with an airbag shall be provided with a warning label against the use of a rearward-facing child restraint in that seating position. The warning label, in the form of a pictogram which may include explanatory text, shall be durably affixed and located such that it is easily visible in front of a person about to install a rearward-facing child restraint on the seat in question. An example of a possible design of a pictogram is shown in figure 1. A permanent reference should be visible at all times, in case the warning is not visible when the door is closed. This requirement does not apply to those seats equipped with a device which automatically deactivates the airbag assembly when a rearward-facing child restraint is installed.
4 Requirements for the control of environmental interference
4.1 Suppression of radio and television interference
A vehicle, its components and its accessories shall comply with the current applicable regulations relating to interference with communications, promulgated under the Telecommunications Act, 1996 (Act 103 of 1996).
4.2 Suppression of atmospheric pollution
4.2.1 The exhaust emission from the engine of a vehicle shall be such as to comply with the current applicable regulations promulgated under the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965 (Act 45 of 1965).
4.2.2 The gaseous and particulate emissions from the vehicle shall comply with the requirements of SABS ECE R83 Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the emission of pollutants according to engine fuel requirements to the level of UN ECE R83.02, except for the type V test (durability of pollution control devices), if homologated after 1 February 2005 but before 1 January 2006, thereafter new homologations shall comply with 4.2.3, or
4.2.3 The gaseous and particulate emissions from the vehicle shall comply with the requirements of SABS 20083 Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicle with regard to the emissions
of pollutants according to engine fuel requirements to the level of ECE R83.04.
Important: For "Operative Dates, Exclusions and Exclusion Expiry Dates" for requirements in 4.2.2 and 4.2.3, see Schedule 1 attached
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 Requirements for vehicle equipment, components and systems
6.1 Speedometers
A vehicle 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
6 Requirements for vehicle equipment, components and systems
6.1 Speedometers
A vehicle 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.
6.2 Engine, exhaust system and transmission
6.2.1 Engine
The engine of a vehicle shall be so fitted with a cover that any part of the engine that constitutes a source of danger is out of normal reach of a person.
6.2.2 Exhaust system
The exhaust system of a vehicle shall comply with the relevant regulations of the National Road Traffic Act.
6.2.3 Transmission
A vehicle, 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.
6.3 Fuel system
6.3.1 Fuel filler cap
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.
6.3.2 Fuel filler inlet
A vehicle equipped with a positive-ignition engine shall be fitted with a fuel inlet orifice so designed that it prevents the tank from being filled from a petrol pump delivery nozzle which has an external diameter of 23.6 mm or greater.
For the purpose of this subsection, category N1 vehicles which are also offered in the M2 configuration shall be considered to be of category M2.
6.5 Vehicle bodies
Vehicle bodies referred to in 1.2 shall be provided with sufficient instructions on the selection and assembly of components, such that the completed vehicle complies (or is capable of complying) with the requirements of this specification, when the instructions are followed. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3.4.1 , 3.5.2 and 3.6
Regulations 4.1 and 4.2
Regulations 5.1, 5.2.1.1 and 5.2.1.2
Regulations 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.5 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Motor vehicles of category N1.
Category N1 motor vehicle, is a vehicle motor vehicle that has a maximum mass not exceeding 3,5 t, that has at least four wheels (or, provided that the maximum mass exceeds 1 t, at least three wheels), and that is used for the
carriage of goods. 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries