Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B31: Labelling 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

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.
5.2.1.3 The data plate(s) shall be legibly and indelibly printed or stamped with the following details of the model type or of the vehicle, as applicable:
a) the gross vehicle mass, in kilograms, for the model type, denoted and prefixed by the letters GVM/BVM;
b) the gross combination mass, in kilograms, for the model type, denoted and prefixed by the letters GCM/BKM; and
c) the gross axle mass-load of each axle, or the gross axle unit mass-load of each axle unit, in kilograms, for the model type, denoted and prefixed by the letters GA/SA or GAU/SAE, as applicable.
5.2.2 Optional data plate
The abbreviations given in 5.2.1.3(a), 5.2.1.3(b) and 5.2.1.3(c) are not required if the information is supplied in the following order:
a) gross vehicle mass;
b) gross combination mass; and
c) gross axle masses in the order front to rear.
5.2.3 Information on vehicle engine
The requirements for the vehicle engine number shall comply with the relevant regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996).
5.2.4 Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number shall comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS ISO 3779: 1983, Road vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Content and structure, and SABS ISO 4030: 1983, Road vehicles - Vehicle identification number (VIN) - Location and attachment, as published by Government Notice no. 3160 of 20 November 1992. However, the requirements for marking the VIN, as given in clause 5 of the said SABS ISO 4030, shall, for the purpose of this 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 frame body 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 if marked in accordance with 5.2 (data plate).
5.2.5 Visible identification
An identification code made up of all or part of the VIN shall be applied to the motor vehicle, such that it is readily visible to a person standing outside the vehicle, without the use of aids. In cases where only part of the VIN is used, the code shall be sufficient to provide unique identification of any unit of a model, provided the model is known.
5.3 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

Regulations 5.2 and 5.3 

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