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 MotorVehicles Of Category M1 

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 M1, 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 as specified in Schedule 1.
1.5 Except for the requirements of 3.7, which shall not be omitted or replaced, certain special category M1 motor vehicles designed or adapted for use as
a) mobile living accommodation (motor caravans),
b) ambulances and patient-transfer vehicles,
c) prisoner-conveyance vehicles,
d) hearses,
e) security and antiriot vehicles,
f) open sided passenger vehicles derived from vehicles other than category M1 vehicles may, alternatively, comply with the specific requirements of the relevant compulsory specification for another category of motor vehicle.
1.6 Vehicles that are sold with a category M2 seating configuration and with a category M1 seating configuration as an alternative, need not comply with the steering frontal impact requirements of 3.5.2.
1.7 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

3.1.1 Lights
Main and dipped-beam headlights, direction-indicator lights, stoplights, and front and rear position lights fitted to a vehicle shall comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS 1376-1: 1983, Lights for motor vehicles - Part 1: Incandescent lamps, as published by Government Notice no. 563 of 29 July 1983, SABS 1376-2: 1985, Lights for motor vehicles - Part 2: Headlights, as published by Government Notice no. 1263 of 14 June 1985, and SABS 1376-3:1985, Lights for motor vehicles - Part 3: Secondary lights, as published by Government Notice no. 2328 of 18 October 1985:
Provided that all other lights required or allowed to be fitted in terms of 3.1.2 are hereby excluded for the purposes of this subsection of this specification.
3.1.2 Lighting
Lighting shall be fitted to a vehicle and shall comply with the relevant requirements given in SABS 1046:1990, Motor vehicle safety specification for lights and light-signalling devices installed on motor vehicles and trailers, as published by Government Notice no. 1735 of 27 July 1990:
Provided that
a) the requirements for the installation of retro-reflectors as given in 4.14, 4.16 and 4.17 of the said SABS 1046 may be met by the use and fitting of retro-reflectors that are defined in the relevant regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996), and, in addition, the requirements may also be met by the use and fitting of retro-reflectors that are integral portions of any other light lens assembly, and
b) the specific requirements of the said SABS 1046 for
1) dipped beam adjustment devices as set out in 4.2.6 and appendix 1, and
2) rear fog lights as set out in 4.11, shall be treated as OPTIONAL for the purposes of this compulsory specification:
This standard is for internal use by SABS staff members only. Strictly not for distribution to third parties.
Provided that, if any motor vehicle is fitted with such devices or lamps, they shall comply with the applicable requirements. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3.1 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Lights and lighting equipment of motor vehicles in category M1
Category M1 motor vehicle is one that is used for the carriage of passengers, that has at least four wheels, and that
has seating accommodation for not more than eight passengers in addition to the driver of the vehicle. 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries