Johannesburg, South Africa — South Africa is set to bolster its import controls by introducing a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVOC) programme, targeting selected imports from China. Effective from September 2026, this new certification regime is aimed at ensuring that goods entering the country meet local standards, thereby protecting domestic industries and consumers.
The PVOC programme will apply to a variety of products, including generators and solar panels, and is intended to address concerns over the influx of low — cost, non-compliant imports that have, according to manufacturers, damaged the domestic industry.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has highlighted the measures as a means to promote fair competition and support the country’s manufacturing sector. Under the new framework, conformity assessments will be conducted in partnership with the China Certification and Inspection Group, with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) overseeing the certification process.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Border Management Authority will also be instrumental in preventing uncertified products from entering the country.
The decision follows years of complaints from industry groups, who have linked the influx of cheaper imports to factory closures, reduced industrial output, and job losses.
The government’s move is part of broader efforts to strengthen industrial competitiveness and protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
The implementation of the PVOC programme is expected to bring challenges, including the cost of compliance and certification for importers, particularly for smaller businesses.
However, it is anticipated that the programme will have a positive impact on the South African market by ensuring that imported goods meet the same quality and safety standards as locally manufactured products.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Segun Adeyemi
