Beginning in September 2026, importers of selected products from China will be required to obtain Certificates of Conformity proving compliance with South African standards before their goods can enter the market.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said the new Pre-Export Verification of Conformity programme is designed to address concerns over the growing volume of low-cost imports that local manufacturers say have undercut domestic production for years.
The measures will apply to products not already covered by compulsory specifications, including electricity generators and solar panels. Authorities argue that gaps in the current system have allowed some non-compliant products to enter the country, creating an uneven playing field for local businesses.
The decision follows longstanding complaints from industry groups, which have linked the influx of cheaper imports to factory closures, reduced industrial output and job losses. Manufacturers have repeatedly urged the government to strengthen enforcement, warning that substandard products threaten both consumer safety and the competitiveness of South African firms.
Under the new framework, conformity assessments will be conducted through a partnership between the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and the China Certification and Inspection Group. SABS will retain oversight of the certification process.
The government will also rely on existing border-control systems involving the South African Revenue Service and the Border Management Authority to prevent uncertified products from entering the country.
Officials say the programme is intended to ensure imported goods meet the same quality and safety standards required of locally manufactured products. The move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen industrial competitiveness, protect consumers and support South Africa’s manufacturing sector amid growing pressure from global imports.
