NRCS South Africa: Draft Vehicle Safety Standards Published

• South Africa's National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has published a draft compulsory specification (VC 8022) for public comment, proposing revisions to minimum safety standards for new passenger cars.
• The proposed changes, part of an NRCS review initiated in March 2022, aim to align South African vehicle safety with international best practices, particularly European standards for passive safety features.
• Key updates include mandatory side-impact protection, enhanced airbag requirements, and the inclusion of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which the Automobile Association (AA) advocates for across all new vehicle specification levels.
• The AA, which engaged with the NRCS prior to publication, welcomed these advancements but also expressed frustration over the decade-long timeline it has taken to introduce such progressive legislation.

The proposed changes, once implemented, promise to significantly enhance the minimum safety provisions for new passenger vehicles, ultimately contributing to a reduction in road fatalities and injuries.

A significant step towards improving road safety in South Africa has been taken with the recent publication of a draft compulsory specification in the Government Gazette. This crucial document invites public comment on proposed revisions to the minimum safety standards applicable to all new passenger cars sold within the country. The initiative underscores a concerted effort to enhance vehicle safety for South African consumers.

This development follows confirmation earlier in February by Mirriam Moswaane, who heads communications and marketing at the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). Moswaane had indicated that the NRCS initiated a comprehensive review of minimum compulsory standards for new vehicles in March 2022. The current draft, known as Compulsory Specification VC 8022, is a direct outcome of this ongoing NRCS vehicle safety standards review, aiming to expedite the adoption of more robust NRCS draft vehicle safety standards South Africa.

The proposed draft automotive safety regulations introduce several critical updates designed to elevate vehicle safety. Among the most welcomed changes is the updated requirement for airbags, a provision that has been the subject of extensive campaigning for years under the #SaferCarsForAfrica banner. Furthermore, the draft mandates mandatory side-impact protection South Africa, an addition deemed vital for passenger safety, particularly given that side-impact vulnerability has frequently been highlighted as a major concern by the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) in its #SaferCarsForAfrica program.

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association of South Africa, confirmed that the NRCS engaged with the AA prior to the draft's publication. The AA has expressed no objection to the draft's suggestion of four airbags, provided the third and fourth airbags offer adequate side-impact protection. Ramagwede also lauded the inclusion of Electronic Stability Control new cars ZA in the proposed safety requirements, advocating for its mandatory application across all specification levels of newly introduced vehicles. He emphasized that ESC is a fundamental element of vehicle stability and safety, widely recognized for its efficacy in reducing the risk and severity of certain crashes. The AA insists these enhanced standards should apply universally across all vehicle derivatives and specification levels available in South Africa, including entry-level models.

The South Africa compulsory specification VC 8022 is being revised as part of the NRCS's continuous regulatory review process. This effort is specifically designed to ensure that South Africa's vehicle safety standards remain aligned with evolving international best practices and advancements in automotive safety technology. The ultimate goal is to bring the country's standards closer to those observed internationally, particularly within Europe, concerning passive safety features.

These new requirements are expected to cover the first three stars of a typical Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) test, which has consistently been a key objective for the AA. While the AA has historically focused on these initial safety ratings, it has not prioritized four- and five-star Global NCAP ratings, as these often pertain to active safety features. Ramagwede noted that the effectiveness of some active safety features is still under debate, with concerns that they could, in certain scenarios, impede driver behavior rather than prevent accidents. This comprehensive review forms a component of a broader commitment by the NRCS to progressively strengthen vehicle safety across the nation. The automotive business council, Naamsa, did not provide a comment when approached by Moneyweb.

The Automobile Association has been a vocal advocate for improved vehicle safety in South Africa for many years, having spent a decade highlighting critical safety issues and undertaking crash-testing of over 32 vehicles to underscore its concerns. Despite welcoming the current legislative progress, Ramagwede expressed frustration regarding the protracted timeline, questioning why it has taken so long to reach this point. He remarked on the "ridiculous" notion that it should require a decade to achieve progressive legislation in this vital area.

Nevertheless, the publication of the draft compulsory specification marks a significant milestone in the ongoing campaign for safer cars in South Africa. The NRCS has acknowledged the findings of campaigns like #SaferCarsForAfrica by Global NCAP, recognizing their importance in fostering broader discussions on vehicle safety and consumer awareness. The proposed changes, once implemented, promise to significantly enhance the minimum safety provisions for new passenger vehicles, ultimately contributing to a reduction in road fatalities and injuries.

Lawyers advising automotive clients should review the published draft compulsory specification (VC 8022) for new vehicle safety standards and consider submitting public comments. These proposed changes will establish new mandatory compliance requirements for all new passenger cars sold in South Africa, impacting manufacturing, import, and sales operations.

Source: Original reporting via Moneyweb