This LOA will only be issued after the successful evaluation of the proof of compliance submitted. A memorandum of agreement between SARS (Customs & Excise) and NRCS also ensures stringent import control, such that no importer will be granted market entry into South Africa for commodities that fall under the scope of the relevant compulsory specifications unless they are in possession of an original valid LOA for the specific commodities.
The submission of a full safety and/or performance test report and any other test reports or
documentation as required, indicating that the product complies with the relevant compulsory safety
standard applicable to that product. The test report(s) must:
a. Be from a laboratory accredited by a national accreditation body affiliated to the International
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and/or be an IECEE CB Scheme member.
b. Be in the IEC format or any other format acceptable to the NRCS and addresses all the
clauses of the compulsory specifications including the relevant national deviations as set by
South Africa
ET/SCF018 ISSUE 12 REVISED 06 May 2019
Note : EN and other standards issued by different standardization bodies, will only be
accepted if it is proven, in the form of a declaration report from an accredited conformity
assessment body (laboratory), to be technically equivalent to the relevant South African
National Standard. The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining such a declaration
report.
c. Have photographs of the product as part of the report that will include at least the following:
i. Rating label/markings.
ii. Front view
iii. Rear view
iv. Internal view
v. Power supply cord and plug (including markings thereof)
d. Be in English
e. Contain all South African national differences, for example, the plug fitted must comply with
the compulsory standard for South African plugs.
Note:
For new applications, the full test report submitted must NOT be older than three
years.
For renewal application the full test report submitted must NOT be older than five
years. Conformity of Production indicating that product design has not changed may be
required for renewal-application.
f. Be evaluated to the current and latest version of the SANS/IEC standard.
VC 8055: Compulsory Specification (VC) for the safety of electrical and electronic apparatus. The following are examples of standards that are covered by this:
a. SANS IEC 60335: Safety of household appliances, eg. kettles, irons, stoves, refrigerators, commercial catering equipment, etc.
b. SANS IEC 60065: Safety of audio-visual equipment and similar electronic apparatus, eg. TV’s, music systems, DVD players, radios, etc.
c. SANS IEC 61029: Safety of transportable motor-operated electrical tools, eg. circular saws, grinders, etc.ET/SCF018 ISSUE 12 REVISED 06 May 2019
d. SANS IEC 60598: Safety of general purpose and fixed luminaries including power factor of SANS 475 (Performance requirements).
e. SANS IEC 60745: Safety of hand-held motor-operated tools, e.g. drills, sanders, etc.
f. SANS IEC 60950: Safety of information technology equipment and related equipment, e.g. computers, printers, copiers, etc.
g. SANS IEC 61010: Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use.
h. SANS IEC 61558: Safety requirements for power transformers, power supplies, reactors and similar products. 1.2 VC 8003: Compulsory Specification for switches for fixed installations.
1.3 VC 8006: Compulsory Specification for the safety of flexible cords for electrical appliances.
1.4 VC 8008: Compulsory Specification for the safety of plugs, socket outlets and socket outlet adaptors.
1.5 VC 8011: Compulsory Specification for lampholders.
1.6 VC 8029: Compulsory specification for cord sets and cord extension sets.
1.7 VC 8036: Compulsory specification for circuit-breakers.
1.8 VC 8039: Compulsory specification for the safety of starters for tubular fluorescent lamps.
1.9 VC 8043: Compulsory Specification for the safety of incandescent lamps.
1.10 VC 8052: Compulsory specification for the safety of manually operated switches for appliances.
1.11 VC 8075: Compulsory Specification for the safety of electric cables with extruded solid dielectic Insulation for Fixed Installations (300/500V to 1900/3300V).
1.12 VC 8077: Compulsory Specification for the safety of medium-voltage electrical cables.
1.13 VC 9006: Compulsory specification for storage water heaters.
1.14 VC 9008: Energy efficiency and labeling for electrical and electronic apparatus.
1.15 VC 9087: Compulsory specification for lamp control gear.
1.16 VC 9091: Compulsory specification for compact fluorescent lamps.