Technical Infrastructure Institutions
The National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) is a type 3A entity and agency of the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic). It is South Africa’s highest authority on measurement, tasked with developing and maintaining the national measurement standards and providing measurement solutions and confidence on measurement accuracy that underpin South Africa’s economic prosperity, trade and quality of life.
As part of South Africa’s quality infrastructure, NMISA is key in the operation of domestic markets and global competitiveness by ensuring the integrity of measurements conducted at various stages of the value chains of different commodities and manufactured products for the local and export markets.
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
The NRCS was established on 1 September 2008 as an agency of the then dtic. Its broad mandate is to promote public health and safety, environmental protection and fair trade through the administration, maintenance and enforcement of compulsory specifications (VCs) and technical regulations (TRs).
The legislative mandate of the NRCS is derived from:
- The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, Act No. 5 of 2008 (NRCS Act)
- The Legal Metrology Act, Act No. 9 of 2014 (LMA)
- The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, Act No. 103 of 1977 (NBR&BS Act)
- The Public Finance Management Act, Act No. 1 of 1999 (PFMA)
- The National Road Traffic Act, Act No. 93 of 1996.
The NRCS is a Schedule 3A public entity in terms of the PFMA, and its stakeholders include the South African Government, industry and citizens.
South African Bureau of Standards
Over 75 YEARS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS anno 1945) a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), SABS has built a reputation globally as a long-standing and widely respected role player in international standardisation, and the leading standardisation body in 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, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008) as the national standardisation institution in South Africa, mandated to:
- Develop, promote and maintain South African National Standards (SANS)
- Promote quality through in connection with commodities, products and services
- Render conformity assessment services and assist in matters connected therewith.
- Local Content Verification Scheme
Standards and the methods used to assess conformity to standards are unquestionably critical to our national development and wellbeing. South Africa’s technology infrastructure hinges on it, whether for industry and commerce, health and safety or the nation’s economic performance.
South African National Accreditation System
A better life through accreditation
The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is the only national body responsible for carrying out accreditations in respect of conformity assessment, as mandated through the Accreditation for Conformity Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory Practice Act (Act 19 of 2006).
Our mandate is to provide an internationally recognised and effective accreditation system in support of public policy objectives including trade facilitation for the betterment of our people.
SANAS Accreditation is an essential tool for decision-making, risk management and supplier selection. It can also provide a competitive advantage in domestic markets through access to public sector contracts, and also overseas with greater acceptance in export markets. It is a preferred mechanism for identifying competent bodies to implement government policies and regulations aimed at safeguarding the public and building public confidence in activities that impact on such fields as health, welfare, security, the environment, education, and financial services.