NCC South Africa: Issues 167 Compliance Notices CPA to Suppliers

• The National Consumer Commission issued 167 compliance notices to suppliers for contravening the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.
• These notices followed market monitoring inspections conducted from April to September 2026 across Gauteng, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga provinces.
• Widespread contraventions included issues with pricing, trade descriptions, product labelling, and the supply of unsafe goods.
• Specific CPA sections like 14, 16, 22, 23, 24, 26, 48, 55, and 56 were cited in the notices.
• Failure to comply with a notice can lead to referral to the National Consumer Tribunal and administrative fines.

Lawyers and compliance officers should immediately advise clients and companies to review their compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, specifically regarding pricing, trade descriptions, product labelling, and safety, as the NCC is actively enforcing these provisions and issuing compliance notices across diverse sectors.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) in South Africa has significantly ramped up its enforcement efforts, issuing 167 compliance notices to various suppliers across the country. This substantial action, taken during the first half of the current financial year, specifically from April 2026 to September 2026, underscores the NCC's commitment to upholding the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA). These notices are a direct result of extensive market monitoring inspections conducted in key provinces, including Gauteng, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga.

These inspections were not solitary efforts but involved collaboration with other regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies, indicating a coordinated approach to consumer protection enforcement in South Africa. The findings from these comprehensive checks revealed a widespread pattern of contraventions against the CPA. Issues identified ranged from inadequate disclosure of essential information to consumers, misleading trade descriptions, and, critically, the supply of goods deemed unsafe for public consumption. The issuance of these NCC 167 compliance notices CPA is a clear signal to the market regarding the commission's proactive stance.

The specific contraventions identified by the National Consumer Commission South Africa during its market monitoring inspections spanned several critical provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. Suppliers were found to be in breach of sections 14, 16, 22, 48, 23, 24, 26, 55, and 56 of the CPA. Additionally, some contraventions specifically cited section 24(3) when read in conjunction with regulation 6. These particular sections of the Act are fundamental to ensuring fair and transparent consumer transactions.

These provisions collectively address crucial aspects of supplier compliance, including the accurate display and disclosure of prices, the integrity of trade descriptions, and proper product labelling. Furthermore, they reinforce the consumer's fundamental right to receive goods that meet prescribed standards and are fit for purpose. The scope of businesses targeted by these inspections was remarkably broad, encompassing supermarkets, mini-markets, general dealers, cash-and-carry stores, tuck shops, wholesalers, butcheries, takeaway outlets, clothing retailers, cosmetics suppliers, hardware businesses, and various other retail establishments. The precise nature of each contravention was meticulously detailed within the individual compliance notices issued to each supplier.

A compliance notice serves as a formal directive from the National Consumer Commission, mandating that a supplier rectify specific contraventions of the Consumer Protection Act. Suppliers are expected to implement the corrective actions outlined in their respective notices and ensure full adherence to the CPA's requirements. The NCC's proactive approach, as evidenced by the issuance of 167 notices, highlights the importance of immediate review of supplier compliance CPA sections 14 16 22 48 23 24 26 55 56.

Failure to comply with these notices carries significant consequences. Should a supplier neglect to address the identified issues, the NCC is empowered to escalate the matter, potentially referring it to the National Consumer Tribunal for further action. Such proceedings can result in the imposition of substantial administrative fines or other forms of relief as permitted by the CPA. Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu issued a strong statement, urging all suppliers, particularly those dealing with foodstuffs, to ensure compliance. He emphasized that non-compliance not only carries repercussions for the business but also poses direct health risks to consumers. This Hardin Ratshisusu NCC statement underscores the dual objective of the Commission's enforcement activities: protecting consumers and ensuring market integrity. Lawyers and compliance officers should immediately advise clients and companies to review their compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, specifically regarding pricing, trade descriptions, product labelling, and safety, as the NCC is actively enforcing these provisions and issuing compliance notices across diverse sectors. The National Consumer Commission reiterates that adherence to the provisions of the CPA is a non-negotiable obligation for every supplier of goods and services.

Lawyers and compliance officers should immediately advise clients and companies to review their compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, specifically regarding pricing, trade descriptions, product labelling, and safety, as the NCC is actively enforcing these provisions and issuing compliance notices across diverse sectors. Failure to address identified contraventions can lead to further enforcement actions and significant administrative fines from the National Consumer Tribunal.

Source: Original reporting via National Consumer Commission statement