Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B31: Labelling requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

25 March 1977 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 5467, 25 March 1977 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Under The Hazardous Substances Act 15 Of 1973 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

8. LABELLING
(1) (a) Each container of a Category A Group I hazardous substance imported, manufactured or packed in the Republic shall be clearly and conspicuously labelled with -
(i) the name of the product and the chemical name of the specific hazardous substance or substances contained therein;
(ii) the name and address of the supplier;
(iii) a skull and crossbones symbol, together with the words "Poison" and "Vergif";
(iv) the words "Act 15 of 1973: Group I"; and
(v) the words "Keep out of reach of children" and "Hou buite bereik van kinders".
(b) The said symbol shall conform to one of the symbols appearing in Annexure D of these regulations and shall cover at least one-tenth of the surface area of the label and be at least 1 cm² in size.
(c) A label shall be placed on one or more surfaces of the container so that it can be read horizontally when the container is set down normally.
(d) An outer package containing one or more inner containers shall be labelled with the skull and crossbones symbol prescribed in paragraph (a), the words "Poison" and "Vergif" and the chemical name of the hazardous substance or substances.
(2) (a) A Category B Group I hazardous substance which is imported into the Republic shall be labelled in accordance with subregulation (1).
(b) A Category B Group I hazardous substance which is manufactured or packed in the Republic shall bear a label which has been approved by the Registering Officers appointed under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947). The label shall include directions regarding the disposal of the container when empty.
(3) A Group I hazardous substance acquired for mining or industrial purposes and placed in smaller containers for transfer from one section to another within an establishment may, if there is a wall-chart in the latter section indicating the risks involved in using the substance, the precautions to be observed and the first aid treatment, be conspicuously labelled only with the name of the substance.
(4) A Group I substance acquired by a laboratory and placed in smaller containers for transfer from one section to another section of such laboratory maybe labelled only with the name of the substance. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 8 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Notes

The list of hazardous substances are neither listed in the Act nor in the Regulations. The NTM Manager to request these from the South African NTM focal point as the list is not available online. 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Group 1 hazardous substances i.e any substance or mixture of substances which, in the course of customary or reasonable handling or use, including ingestion, might, by reason of its toxic, corrosive, irritant, strongly sensitizing or flammable nature or because it generates pressure through decomposition, heat or other means, cause injury, ill-health or death to human beings. 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries