SABS COC PROGRAM SCHEMES IN LINE WITH ICASA GENERAL NOTICE 751 OF 2021

The purpose of this submission is to brief the South African World Trade Organization (WTO) on the introduction of the new South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC)-Lab Scheme, as well as the restructured existing A-Lab Scheme in line with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) GENERAL NOTICE 751 OF 2021, published 03 January 2022.?

?On the 3rd of June 2016, ICASA and SABS, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see both entities collaborate on a revised approach to issuing Certificates of Conformance (CoCs) regarding regulated Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards. As a result of this MoU, electronic equipment (non-telecommunication) that falls under the mandate of ICASA will be subjected to a robust conformity assessment procedure to ensure that such products meet the quality requirements as stipulated in the applicable South African National Standards (SANS).?

?The scheme enables SABS to collaborate with local and international accredited EMC testing facilities to ensure a streamlined process without compromising the objectives of the SABS EMC CoC process. This TYPE 3 quality assurance scheme also enables the SABS to visit points of manufacturing, sampling, testing and subsequent verification of products for continuous compliance purposes at a cost.?

?With ICASA embarking on enforcing the regulation through market surveillance in 2022, it is envisaged that there will be an increase in demand on CoC applications to be processed. A considered risk management process has been followed and this allowed the SABS to develop a scheme that will enable ILAC affiliates issued test reports to be used to process CoC applications.?

?Following lists the differentiation of the CoC Scheme programs to which the SABS will be servicing the industry in line with the ICASA GENERAL NOTICE 751 of 2021:?

SABS would formally like to highlight amendments on the ICASA General Notice of 2021 on communicated scheme turn-around-time:?

?·?????The turnaround time of ten (10) working days will be adjusted to thirty (30) working days for applicants falling within SABS A-Lab Scheme – Point 7 of the Notice, with?

·?????The turnaround time of thirty (30) working days adjusted to thirty (60) working days for applicants falling within the ILAC Scheme – Point 7 of the Notice.??

?The main reason for the change in the service turn-around-times in days: (thirty (30) for A-Lab Scheme affiliated Labs and up to sixty (60) days for non-affiliated applicants) is that this is the adequate time that has been tried and tested by the SABS to perform due diligence in verifying test reports as well as the accreditation status and process data of issued test reports by CoC applicants. Currently, SABS is issuing CoCs from A-Lab Scheme affiliates within 30 days. The industry stakeholders are aware of this position, this has been the position since the promulgation of the scheme (more than 5 years ago). In the case of ILAC Scheme facilities that are not listed on the A-Lab Scheme, there is no prior due diligence performed and more administrative work is anticipated. Therefore, there is an adjusted cost implication for issuing CoCs for this scheme.?

?SABS sincerely hopes that the presented scheme structures will allow the industry to make informed decisions on which scheme structure to contract with SABS. ??

?We request that enquiries be directed through the WTO structures to allow the SABS to respond accordingly.?