G/TBT/N/ZAF/220  
 
22 September 2017  
(17-5017) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member: SOUTH AFRICA   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article  3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible: INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA 
(ICASA) AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN BUREAU OF STANDARDS (SABS )  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
tbtcomments@sabs.co.za  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [  ], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7. 1 [ ], other:  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Non-
telecommunications electronic and electrical products classifiable under various HS 
chapters  that may emit electromagnetic interference  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: EMI/C conformity 
assessment procedure (6 page(s), in English)   
6. Description of content:  
PURPOSE OF EMI/C CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE  
The CoC (Certificate of Compliance) programme entails the assessment of test reports by 
the SABS, which have been issued by Authorised Laboratories within a program that 
provides for assurance of lab capability and traceability of tested samples and report s. 
SABS Authorised Laboratory (A -Lab) Program  
The SABS A -Lab program seeks to close the gap for full -testing of products for EMC and 
subsequent assurance of traceability of tested samples.  
The SABS A -lab program is open to all accredited 3rd Party laborat ories and is based on the 
verification of the lab 's requisite skills, equipment, technical competence in the identified 
scope of accreditation and testing abilities.  
SABS Electro Technical department undertakes the verification assessment by conducting 
the requisite laboratory verification in consultation with the 3rd party laboratory.  
The process for a 3rd party laboratory to apply for SABS verification is as follows:  
 The 3rd party laboratory must request an application form to be verified and 
enrolled in to the SABS A -lab program by sending an email to EMC@sabs.co.za  with 
the subject "SABS Lab Authorisation ".  
 The complete application forms must be submitted to EMC@sabs.co.za . 
 The SABS shall validate the documentation accompanying the application form and 
issues a quotation to the applicant.  G/TBT/N/ZAF/220  
 
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   Upon acceptance of the quotation, SABS will submit an invoice to the applicant.  
 Upon receipt of payment (proof thereof), SABS will schedule a d ate for the 3rd 
party laboratory to be verified.  
 The 3rd party laboratory assessment takes a period of 2 working days onsite during 
working days.  
Once the 3rd Party laboratory is verified, its details are uploaded to the SABS EMC A -lab 
directory, enabling manufacturers to choose to test at any SABS A -lab listed in the official 
directory. Manufacturers have the discretion to introduce their preferred labs to be verified 
and added on the A -lab directory upon compliance with the set requirements.   
Testing of Manufacturer Samples at SABS Authorised Lab (A -Lab) – See Annexure "C" for 
process flow diagram  
 Manufacturer sends/submits test sample/s to SABS Authorised Lab. 
 SABS Authorised lab receive the samples for testing.  
 SABS Authorised lab will receive the unique number from SABS which is to be 
inserted on the test report/s.  
 SABS Authorised lab emails tests schedule for SABS EMC testing to 
EMC@sabs.co.za . 
 SABS Authorised lab tests samples according to SANS standard and schedule.  
 SABS Authorised lab issues test report to manufacturer for confirmation and 
validation of results.  
 Manufacturer validates and accepts test report from  SABS Authorised Lab.  
The SABS EMC Certificate of Compliance COC application process – See annexure "D" for 
process flow diagram  
 Applicant downloads SABS EMC Certificate of Compliance application form from 
SABS website.  
 Applicant completes application form  downloaded from SABS website.  
 Applicant submits application form to SABS at EMC@sabs.co.za . 
 SABS reviews the application once received.  
 SABS links a unique tracking number to the application.  
 SABS prepares quotation for applicant.  
 SABS quotation is emailed to applicant for acceptance.  
 SABS submits application linked unique number to SABS Authorised lab.  
 Lab conduct tests according to the relevant SANS and SABS Lab testing process.  
 Applicant submits validated test repo rt to the SABS.  
 SABS submits invoice to the manufacturer for payment.  
 Applicant effects payment of invoice.  
 SABS conducts first level review on test report submitted by 
applicant.  
 SABS conducts a second level review.  
 SABS compiles a test report summary for internal approval.  
 SABS EMI/C GM approves report reviewed and issues the 
Certificate of Compliance.  
 Scanned copy of certificate is emailed to the manufacturer.  
 The original Certificate of Compliance is delivered as per the 
applicant 's request either by :  
 Email to applicant.  
 Collection at SABS offices.   
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable: The objective with the introduction of the conformity assessment procedure is 
to give effect to existing EMI/C regulations which calls for conformity assessment of 
products to protect the integrity of public networks, the consumer and to avoid harmful 
interference; ensure and validate that electronic and electrical equipment entering the 
south African market meets the required EMC performance standards, as per ICASA 
regulations and to ensure traceability of actual testing samples and address changes to 
critical components in electrical and electronic products.  
The procedure is, inter alia , underpinned by domestic co nsumer protection laws. As the 
process constitutes the only available process for conformity assessment of products to 
applicable standards, the implementation thereof is urgent due to the eminent safety, G/TBT/N/ZAF/220  
 
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  health and environmental problems for S outh Africa.  Any delays in the implementation of 
the program may necessitate the cessation of import products pending compliance with 
the WTO/TBT reporting requirements and the subsequent   
8. Relevant documents:   
 G/TBT/N/ZAF/73.  
 And government gazette no. 30753, noti ce no. 215, date: 7 February 2008  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Procedure adopted.  
Proposed date of entry into force:  Procedure adopted.  
10. Final date for comments: 60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body: