This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 24 MEi 2023  No. 48653  3
General  notices  • alGemene  KennisGewinGs
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION
NOTICE  1826 OF 2023
1DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION
NATIONAL REGULATOR F OR COMPULSORY SPECIF ICATIONS ACT  
(ACT NO. 5 OF 2008),  AS AMENDED THROUGH LEGAL METROLOGY ACT 
(ACT NO. 9 OF 2014)  
COMPULSORY SPECIFICATION FOR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF GENERAL 
SERVICE LAMPS (GSLs) -VC9110
I, Ebrahim Patel, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, hereby under 
Section 13(1) of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act (Act 5 of 
2008), withdraw the compulsory specification for single -capped fluorescen t lamps (VC 
9091) and the compulsory specification for incandescent lamps (VC 8043), and 
replace them with the compulsory specification for safety requirements of general 
service lamps as set out in the attached schedule .These requirements should be read 
together with those of the compulsory specification for energy efficiency and functional 
performance requirements of general services lamps (VC 9109 ).The compulsory 
specification for safety requirement sof general service lamps shall be effective twelve 
(12) months after the publication of this notice.
EBRAHIM PATEL  
MINISTER OF TRADE, I NDUSTRY AND COMPETIT ION 
DATE:  23 MAY 2023  
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2 SCHEDULE  
VC 9110 - COMPULSORY SPECIFICATION FOR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF 
GENERAL SERVICE LAMPS (GSLs)  
1 SCOPE  
This compulsory specification covers the safety requirements for general lighting 
directional and non -directional lamps of all shapes and finishes; using incandescent, 
halogen, fluorescent, light emitting diode (LED), and other light source technologies  
(not including hig h-intensity discharge lamps) with consideration of the standards 
referenced in Section 4 of this compulsory specification.  
2 DEFINITIONS  
2.1 For the purposes of this document, the definitions in standards referred in 
Section  4 of this compulsory specification, shall apply.  
 
2.2 In addition, the following definitions shall apply:  This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 24 MEi 2023  No. 48653  5
3 2.2.1  applicant: the manufacturer or importer seeking approval for GSL (s). 
The applicant shall be an existing legal entity within the Republic of 
South Africa.  
2.2.2  approval: confirmation by the NRCS t hat a particular GSL(s) satisfies the 
requirements of this compulsory specification.  
2.2.3  arithmetical mean: the average of a set of numerical values, calculated by 
adding them together and dividing by the  number of terms in the set.  
2.2.4  declaration report: a repor t that is issued by an accredited conformity 
assessment body, indicating the equivalence of standards .  
2.2.5  directional lamp (DL): a lamp which has a beam angle (as defined in IEC 
61341:1994 and measured in accordance with CIE S025:2015) of no more than 
90 deg rees in at least one plane and that being in at least one plane for an 
asymmetric beam lamp. These lamps are also known as reflector lamps and 
are commonly installed in recessed cans or track lighting.  
2.2.6  family: a group of lamps, luminaires, light modules or  drivers with the same 
brand name that has essentially identical: (1) physical characteristics and 
construction, (2) system design and performance, and (3) quality and safety 
characteristics. Any variation within a family of models shall have little or no 
effect on the efficacy and performance of those models.  
2.2.7  fluorescence or fluorescent light source (FL): the phenomenon or a light 
source using an electric gas discharge of the low -pressure mercury type in 
which most of the light is emitted by one or more layers of phosphors excited 
by the ultraviolet radiation from the discharge. Fluorescent light sources may 
have one ('single -capped') or two ('double -capped') connections (‘caps’) to their 
electricity supply. For the purposes of this Regulation, magnetic i nduction light 
sources are also considered as fluorescent light sources.  
2.2.8  gas discharge: a phenomenon where light is produced, directly or indirectly, 
by an electric discharge through a gas, plasma, metal vapour or mixture of 
gases and vapours.  This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za6  No. 48653  GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 MA y 2023
4 2.2.9  general serv ice lamp  (GSL) : includes a light source that meets the 
requirements of S ection  1.1 of VC 910 9.  
2.2.10  halogen lamp : gas-filled lamp containing halogens or halogen compounds, the 
filament being of tungsten . 
2.2.11  high -intensity discharge: ‘high intensity discharge’ (HID) means an electric 
gas discharge in which the light -producing arc is stabilised by wall temperature 
and the arc chamber has a bulb wall loading in excess of 3 Watts per square 
centimetre. ‘Gas discharge’ means a phenomenon where light is produced, 
directly or indirectly, by an electric discharge through a gas, plasma, metal 
vapour or mixture of gases and vapours. For the purpose of this Regulation, 
HID light sources are limited to metal halide, high -pressure sodium and 
mercury vapour types.  
2.2.12  incandescen ce: emission of optical radiation by the process of thermal 
radiation. In light sources,  incandescence is typically produced by the passage 
of an electric current through a threadlike resistive conductor (‘filament’) which 
creates heat. 
2.2.13  lamp: a light source made in order to produce an optical radiation, usually 
visible. Note: The term "lamps" is often referred to as a globe, bulb or light 
bulb.  
2.2.14  lamp cap : that part of a lamp, which  provides connection to the electrical 
supply by means of a lamph older or lamp connector and, in most cases, also 
serves to retain the lamp in the lampholder.  
Note 1:   The term base is also used in both the United Kingdom and the US to denote 
an integral part of a lamp envelope, which  has been so shaped that it fulfils  the function 
of a cap. It may engage either a holder or a connector, depending on other design 
features of the lamp - and holder system. 
 Note 2:  The cap of a lamp and its corresponding holder are generally identified by 
one or more letters followed by a number, which  indicates approximately the principal 
dimension (generally the diameter) of the cap in millimeters . This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za STAATSKOERANT, 24 MEi 2023  No. 48653  7
5 2.2.15  light emitting diode (LED) : a technology in which light is produced from a 
solid state device embodying a p -n junction of inorganic material or  organic 
material. This latter case is also known as ‘organic light emitting diode’ 
(OLED). In both cases,  the junction emits optical radiation when excited by an 
electric current.  
2.2.16  luminaire : an apparatus which distributes, filters or transforms the light 
transmitted from one or more lamps and which includes, except the lamps 
themselves, all the parts necessary for fixing and protecting the lamps and, 
where necessary, circuit auxiliaries together with the means for connecting 
them to the electric supply.  
2.2.17  model: refers to all the units in a product line from the same manufacturer, 
sold under the same brand name, and which are identical except for a serial 
number or other identifying mark. Any variation within a product line of models 
shall have no effect on t he efficacy and performance of those models and shall 
only be due to natural manufacturing variation observed within otherwise 
identical units.  
2.2.18  non- directional lamp (NDL): a general service lamp that is not a directional 
lamp.  
2.2.19  NRCS: National Regulator for  Compulsory Specifications as established by 
the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, 2008 (Act No. 5 of 
2008).  
2.2.20  proof of approval: a Letter of Authority (LoA) issued by the NRCS, which 
confirms that a particular GSL(s) satisfies the requir ements of this compulsory 
specification.  
2.2.21  valid test report:  a copy of an original test report.  
3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  
3.1 The applicant shall ensure that each model of GSL(s) has been approved and 
successfully registered by the NRCS before offering it for sale, or import, or 
supply in accordance with the requirements of Annex A.  This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za8  No. 48653  GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 MA y 2023
6  
3.2 The applicant shall inform the NRCS of any change in design or materials 
affecting any mandatory requirement in terms of this compulsory specification. In 
the event of such change (s) the NRCS may, at its discretion, demand that the 
applicant submit s a new application for approval.  
 
3.3 The applicant shall, on request, provide the NRCS, within five ( 5) working days, 
with satisfactory proof  of compliance in respect of any model of GSL(s) included 
in the scope of this compulsory specification.   
 
3.4 Failure to provide such proof shall constitute reasonable grounds for suspicion 
of non -compliance with the requirements of this compulsory specification.  
 
3.5 All GSL( s) shall comply with the requiremen ts of this compulsory specification  
with respect to safety as set out in  Section  4.  
 
4. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS  
Safety specifications for all non -LED GSLs  that are currently regulated will continue 
to appl y: 
4.1 Tungsten filament lamps shall comply with the requirements of SANS 60432 -1, 
Tungsten filament lamps for domestic and similar general lighting purposes - 
Safety specifications.  
 
4.2 Tungsten halogen lamps sh all comply with the requirements of SANS 60432 -2, 
tungsten halogen lamps for domestic and similar general lighting purposes -
safety specification or SANS 60432 -3, tungsten halogen lamps (non -vehicle) -
Safety specification.  
 
4.3 Single -capped fluorescent lamps shall comply with the safety requirements of 
SANS 61199 , Single -capped fluorescent lamps safety specifications  or SANS 
60968, Self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services - Safety requirements.  
 
4.4 Self-ballasted LED -lamps shall comply with the safety requirements of SANS 
62560 , Self-ballasted LED -lamps for general lighting services by voltage > 50 V 
- Safety specification . 
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7 4.5 Semi -integrated LED -lamps shall comply with the safety requirements of 
SANS  62838, LEDsi- lamps for general lighting services with supply voltages not 
exceeding >  50 V a.c .r.m.s or 120  V ripple free d.c. - Safety specification.  
 
4.6 All GSLs shall comply with the photobiological risk requirements in Table 1: 
Table 1: photobiological risk  requirements  
Metric  Mandatory Requirements  
Photobiological risk group (blue light and UV 
hazard)  For the blue light hazard: RG0 or RG1 are allowed.  
If an LED uses a UV -based LED chip, then it must meet UV RG0 and RG1. The 
risk group (RG) is assessed at 200 mm from the lamp using the general 
methodology of IEC 62471 and the particular prescriptions of  IEC TR 62778.  
 
5. EQUIVALENCE OF STANDARDS  
 
5.1 Standards issued by different stan dardization bodies such as ISO and EN, will 
only be accepted if it is proven, in the form of a declaration report from an 
accredited conformity assessment body, that they are  technically equivalent to 
the relevant South African National Standard  or other relevant standard as 
provided in Section  4. 
 
5.2 The applicant shall be re sponsible for obtaining such a declaration report. Proof 
of conformity with such a standard shall be accepted as conformity with the 
corresponding South African National Standard  or other relevant standard as 
provided in Section  4. 
 
6. CONFORMITY TO NEW EDITI ONS OF REFERENCED STANDARDS  
 
6.1 For the purposes of this compulsory specification, a new edition of a referenced 
standard shall become effective twelve (12)  months from the date of publication 
as a South African National Standard.  
 
6.2 New products, or products resubmitted for approval because of a change in 
design or materials, shall in all cases be evaluated against the requirements of 
the latest edition of any referenced standard.   
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8 6.3 When a new edition of a referenced standard is published, products originally 
approved in accordance with the previous edition of that standard may have their 
approval extended for up to five  (5) years from the effective date of the new 
standard, subject to the requirements of Annex A, unless declared otherwise by 
the Minister.  
 
7. EVIDENCE OF CONFORMITY TO REQUIREMENTS  
A valid t est reports in IEC format or any other equivalent format acceptable to the 
NRCS and issued by a test laboratory accredited by a body being a member of an IAF 
(International Accreditation Forum) or ILAC (Interna tional Laboratory Accreditation 
Cooperation) or IECEE (International Electrotechnical Commission for Electrical 
Equipment -mutual recognition scheme) in accordance with the NRCS’s conformity 
assessment policy . 
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9 ANNEX URE  A - APPROVAL OF  GENERAL SERVICE LAMP (GSL)  
                                                 (Normative)  
 
A1. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL  
An application for approval of each model of GSL (or family of GSL) intended for sale 
shall include A.1.1 to A.1.5 inclusive:  
A1.1  Details of the model(s) of GSL(s) for which approval is sought and the 
standard(s) to which it is claimed to conform;  
 
A1.2  Details of the manufacturing plant(s) in which the GSL model is produced;  
 
A1.3  Identification markings and other informati on app earing on the product;  
 
A1.4  Any reasonable additional information in order to clarify the above that may 
be requested by the NRCS.  
 
A1.5  For new applications:  
 
a) Proof of conf ormity as described in Section  7 of this compulsory 
specification, with all the safety requirements of this compulsory 
specification set out in Section  4, issued less than 36 months before the 
date of submission to the NRCS;  
 
b) Declaration that all submitted information relates to the model of GSL 
detailed in this application for safety approval . 
 
A1.6  For renew applications:  Three  (3) months prior to expiry of the Letter of 
Authority (LOA), an application for a new LOA may be granted, provided 
that a declaration that all the current c onditions of the product safety 
certification are met for the model of GSL detailed in this application for 
safety approval.    
 
 
 
 
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10 A2.1  The NRCS shall assess the evidence of conformity supplied by the 
applicant and shall decide to grant approval or not, at its sole discretion.  
 
A2.2  The NRCS shall assign a unique number to each approval . 
 
A2.3  The NRCS shall issue a Letter of Authority (LOA) certificate for each 
successful application, to the applicant, when all the requirements have 
been met.  
 
A2.4  The approval granted with respect to each model of GSL that is pursuant 
to this compulsory specification may be withdrawn at any time, after the 
manufacturer has been notified in writing, if the requirements have not been 
met or maintained.