Competition Commission Seeks Revocation of Premier–RFG Merger Approval

The legal framework underpinning this registry is primarily the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), which, in Section 11, provides for the right of consumers to restrict unwanted direct marketing. While the CPA laid the groundwork, the practical implementation of a centralised opt-out mechanism has been a protracted process. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is the key regulatory body responsible for overseeing and enforcing compliance with the CPA, including the new registry. This system complements other privacy legislation, most notably the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), which also regulates the processing of personal information, including for direct marketing purposes, and requires consent or other lawful bases. The interaction between the CPA's opt-out provisions and POPIA's consent requirements will be a crucial area for legal interpretation and compliance. The article also mentions that ENSafrica has noted the NCC's draft guidelines for compliance, indicating that further detailed regulatory guidance is available or forthcoming.