SABS is mandatory for South Africa

SABS is a statutory body that was established in terms of the Standards Act, 1945 (Act No. 24 of 1945) and continues to operate in terms of the latest edition of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No. 29 of 1993) as the national institution for the promotion and maintenance of standardization and quality in connection with commodities and the rendering of services。

SABS’s responsibility

• SABS publishes national standards which it prepares through a consensus process in technical committees, provides information on national standards of all countries as well as international standards
• SABS tests and certifies products and services to standards
• SABS develops technical regulations (compulsory specifications) based on national standards, monitors and enforces compliance with such technical regulations
• SABS monitors and enforces legal metrology legislation
• SABS promotes design excellence
• SABS provides training on aspects of standardization.

With a view to maximising its service delivery to the industries it serves, SABS recently aligned its activities with seven different industry sectors, each housing the whole range of SABS services pertinent to a particular industry. This change ensures easy access to products, faster reaction and turn-around times, and the creation of centres of knowledge excellence that will be easily available to clients.

The seven industry sectors are:

• Chemicals
• Electrotechnical
• Food and Health
• Mechanical and Materials
• Mining and Minerals
• Services
• Transportation

The process to be followed in order to obtain the Mark is as follows:

• An application for the Mark must be completed. This form must be completed in respect of the manufacturer.
• The Mark is awarded to one manufacturing facility, and is site and product specific? If there is more than one site then a separate application for each site must be completed.? Each and every product for which the Mark is required must be stated on the application.
• An application for credit must be completed by the persons responsible for the payment of the initial assessment and subsequent Mark fees, should credit facilities be required.
• Once the applications have been received, SABS will prepare a quotation for the assessment.
• Upon acceptance of this quotation, SABS will proceed with the assessment of the factory, during which samples will be drawn for testing by SABS.
• If this is successful, a quote for the annual surveillance audits will be prepared as well as a contract.
• Two post permit audits per year will be undertaken for sampling for auto control verification.
• The product must be test periodically
• The permit is valid for a period of three years unless there are other reasons for cancellation.

Tel: +86 25 8658 3475