VREDENBURG – The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has intensified its efforts to remove unsafe and non-compliant products from the market following a joint enforcement operation on the West Coast.

According to the NRCS, thousands of consumers unknowingly purchase products that may pose serious safety risks because they do not comply with compulsory standards.

To protect the public and improve market compliance, the NRCS, an entity of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, led a joint operation against substandard and illegal goods.

In collaboration with law enforcement authorities, surprise inspections were carried out in Saldanha and Vredenburg between Tuesday 7 July and Wednesday 8 July.

The operation focused on identifying unsafe products, removing them from the market, and ensuring that traders comply with compulsory specifications designed to protect consumers.

Speaking during the operation, Patsy Andrews, Manager: Electro-Technical, explained that the regulator is responsible for enforcing compulsory technical regulations under the NRCS Act.

During visits to various shops, items not up to standard were seized. Items included extension cords, appliances, multi-plug adaptors, light bulbs, lamp holders and chargers, just to name a few.

Andrews noted that any cable imported into or manufactured in South Africa should comply with the prescribed minimum safety requirements,” Andrews said.

She added that the electrical cables identified during the inspections without the required approval in the form of a Letter of Authority made them non-compliant with the regulations.

“As part of our compliance process, we also conduct random sampling because, in some instances, suppliers may submit ‘golden samples’ that differ from the products actually being sold,” she explained.

“We send these samples to an accredited laboratory to verify that the products on the market are the same as those originally approved.”

The NRCS said the inspections form part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard consumers by ensuring that only compliant and safe products are available on South African shelves.