1. Introduction to South Africa’s SABS certification

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) was established under the National Standards Act promulgated in 1945 and is a subsidiary of the South African Ministry of Trade and Industry. SABS is a neutral third-party certification body in South Africa, responsible for system certification and product certification in South Africa. In addition to the responsibility of formulating standards, SABS is also responsible for managing mandatory specifications and standards on behalf of the country and granting marks to products that meet the specifications. In addition, it is also responsible for issuing certificates to companies that comply with ISO9001 and ISO9002, and is responsible for pre-shipment inspections and testing on behalf of the country and some major buyers., and issuing certificates of conformity. SABS certification is widely used in chemical products, biological products, fiber products and clothing, mechanical products, safety equipment, electrical products, civil and construction, and automotive products. In recent years, SABS certification has become an important tool for the South African government to control product imports.

SABS certification is divided into two categories: product certification and system certification, while SABS product certification mainly includes the following eight categories:

Chemicals, biological products, fiber products and clothing, mechanical products, safety equipment, electrical products, civil and construction, and automotive products. Among them, the building materials and products involved include: stone products, concrete products, roofing materials, cement, lime, cement mixtures, natural building stone, safety glass, steel structures, wood and wood products, bricks, tiles, paints, coatings, sealants, etc.

(2) SABS certificate

There are two situations in South Africa’s certification: the first application is to apply for LOA and COC, which are mandatory for imports from South Africa. This certification process is not allowed to label the SABS trademark on the product label. This application does not require factory inspection; The second application is based on the first application. The use of SABSMark can be applied again. The use of this kind of sign requires a series of factory inspection procedures and costs a lot. A certain amount of annual fees and factory inspection fees must be paid every year. The right to use the sign.

COC is EMI testing, and LOA is recognized by letterofauthority agents. Go directly to South Africa to apply

(3) Notes for SABS:

1. First, the company must designate an agent, who will declare responsibility for all data information and all matters such as after-sales. The South African Road Traffic Act (Act93:1996) requires importers to register with the local Ministry of Transport;

2. South Africa is an imperial country and a right-hand member. At the same time, it can continue testing and submit documents to SABS and other work only after successful registration;

3. All test items should be completed in strict accordance with relevant South African standards and technical documents such as reports that meet the NRCS should be submitted;

4. The entire certification process includes two parts: test report review and sample vehicle consistency inspection;(Note: The inspection of sample vehicles can be arranged in China or South Africa according to the needs of the company)

5. Once all materials and prototypes have passed NRCS’s review and evaluation, NRCS will issue certificates. Under normal circumstances, the entire review process does not exceed 15 working days

6. Certificate validity date: The certificate will continue to be valid as long as there are no changes to the applicable standards and regulations and no modifications to the vehicle;

7. NRCS will be responsible for production consistency control. If the model is found to be inconsistent, it will have the right to withdraw the certificate.

8. To ensure production consistency, NRCS may conduct a factory review some time after the certificate is applied.

(4) SABS certification process:

1. The manufacturer fills out the application form completely;

2. If the factory has more than one factory, a separate application form is required. Each product within the scope of certification is required to be reflected on the application form. In addition, the factory also needs to fill out an application form for the reputation of the person in charge, who must guarantee the first review fee and other certification fees;

3. After receiving the application form, the South African Bureau of Standards will issue a reviewed quotation;

4. On the premise that the quotation is approved, the South African Bureau of Standards will conduct a factory review;

5. If all the above reviews are passed, the South African Bureau of Standards will prepare an annual supervision contract;

6 Two auditors will conduct random reviews every year, and the annual supervisory review and testing fees will be stated in the contract;

7. Two auditors will spot check the samples and bring them back to the laboratory;

8. For future testing samples, the South African Bureau of Standards will draw from the goods of buyers in South Africa. If the batches of the goods are less than 4 times per year, insufficient samples will be sent from the factory, and the cost will be borne by the factory;

9. If the test result is unqualified, the cost of the sample and the cost of retest will be borne by the factory;

10. The certificate will be valid for three years unless there are other reasons to cancel the certificate.

(5) Preconditions for obtaining the SABS mark

1. Products comply with a SABS/SANS national standard;

2. Products pass corresponding standard tests;

3. The quality system meets ISO9000 requirements or other specified requirements;

4. Only when the product and quality system meet the requirements can you apply for the use of the SABS mark;

5. Routine product testing should be carried out under guidance, and test results should be submitted and disclosed;

6. The quality system is evaluated at least twice a year and requires a full-content evaluation.