Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B31: Labelling requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

02 April 2001 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice R93 (Government Gazette 22014) Of 2 February 2001 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For Microbiological Safety Cabinets (Classes I, II And III) 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

1.1 This specification covers requirements for the construction, fittings and pre-installation and post- installation performance of class I, class li and class III microbiological safety cabinets (also known as biological safety cabinets) intended to protect the operator and the environment from hazardous microbiological materials and (if so required by the customer or user or both), organic toxins and non-corrosive volatile organic agents.

NOTE - Microbiological safety cabinets are not intended to provide protection against corrosive chemical or radioactive materials.

1 .2 The specification does not cover the actual design of a safety cabinet and in no way restricts new design, provided that a microbiological safety cabinet of a new design complies with the requirements for materials, reliability, performance and safety given in this specification.

NOTE - Microbiological safety cabinets of class I, class II and class III should not be confused with laminar flow
clean workstations that usually discharge horizontally and vertically towards the operator and that do not provide
protection for an operator, but can even increase exposure to airborne hazards. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

8.2 Marking
For each class of cabinet, the appropriate of the following information shall be prominently, legibly and indelibly displayed on the front of each cabinet:
a) the designation, i.e.
1) Microbiological safety cabinet class I - Protection for personnel and the environment against ordinary microbiological agents, or
2) Microbiological safety cabinet class II - Protection for personnel, the environment and the product against ordinary microbiological agents, or
3) Microbiological safety cabinet class III - Protection for personnel, the environment and the products against special and extremely hazardous microbiological agents;
b) the manufacturer's name and address;
c) the total volume of the cabinet;
d) the words "WARNING: Do not use flammable or explosive and highly volatile liquids in this cabinet";
e) the serial number of the cabinet;
f) the year of manufacture; and
g) the electrical voltage (volts), frequency (hertz) and current drawn (amps). 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 8.2 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Microbiological safety cabinets (classes I, II And II 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries