NCC Issues Compliance Notices to Suppliers of Non-Compliant Goods in South Africa

• The National Consumer Commission issued fourteen Compliance Notices to suppliers of non-compliant goods in South Africa.
• Twelve of these notices were directed at Western Cape-based suppliers, with an additional twenty-three under investigation.
• The NCC's actions are guided by section 24 of the CPA and Regulation 6, which require proper labelling and compliance with consumer protection standards.

From the concluded investigations, the NCC found that consumers continue to be exposed to unsafe foodstuffs and most suppliers do not comply with the provisions of the CPA.

In a recent crackdown, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued fourteen Compliance Notices to suppliers of non-compliant goods in South Africa. The majority of these notices were directed at suppliers based in the Western Cape, where market monitoring inspections revealed widespread contraventions of section 24 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). Specifically, inspectors found that many suppliers failed to properly label their products or affix ingredients on packaging, leading to compliance notices being issued to twelve suppliers. An additional twenty-three suppliers are currently under investigation in the Western Cape alone.

The NCC's actions are guided by section 24 of the CPA, which requires that trade descriptions be applied to goods or packaging and include information such as country of origin. Regulation 6 further clarifies this requirement, emphasizing the importance of proper labelling in protecting consumers from unsafe products. The NCC's focus on compliance with these regulations is a critical step in ensuring consumer safety and upholding the standards set by the CPA.

The issuance of Compliance Notices by the NCC serves as a stark reminder to suppliers of the importance of adhering to labelling requirements and complying with the Consumer Protection Act. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences, including fines and reputational damage. As such, it is essential for businesses to prioritize proper labelling and compliance with section 24 of the CPA to avoid receiving Compliance Notices from the NCC.

Lawyers should advise clients on the importance of proper labelling and compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, particularly section 24, to avoid receiving Compliance Notices from the NCC.

Source: Original reporting via National Consumer Commission (NCC)