​Automotive ensures the safety of vehicles, after-market components and automotive-related products offered for sale in South Africa. The safety and environmental requirements are based on the international safety standards which are applicable in more developed countries.

NRCS is also appointed by the National Department of Transport as the Inspectorate of Manufacturers, Importers and Builders (MIBS) in terms of the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996).

NRCS administers compulsory specifications for the fitness of previously unregistered vehicles offered for sale for use on public roads, as well as off-road and specialized vehicles covered in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. The regulatory scope also includes certain safety-critical vehicle components and other automotive products which are covered in the relevant compulsory specifications. In general, the compulsory specifications are aligned with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulations (UNECE Regulations) applicable to motor vehicles and their parts.

NRCS is also appointed by the Minister of Transport in terms of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 as the Inspectorate responsible for implementation and enforcement of many of the technical requirements for vehicles operated on public roads. NRCS is also the Inspectorate of Manufacturers, Importers, and Builders (MIB's).
The compulsory specifications include requirements for

• The approval and homologation of vehicle designs of locally manufactured and imported vehicles;
• The approval and homologation of vehicle components and tyres; 
• Approval of commercial vehicle manufacturers and importers (MIB's) for registration purposes;
• The inspection and auditing of the vehicle and component manufacturers to ensure ongoing compliance with standards;
•  The capture of data and model numbers for new vehicle models on the National Traffic Information System (NATIS);
• The approval of and authorization for building and importing of vehicles by non-registered individuals and organizations.

Import of Vehicles by Private Individuals and Non-Registered Organisations

Importers must apply for a LETTER OF AUTHORITY (LOA).​

Approval and Inspection

Procedure On The Administration Of Type Homologation And LOA1 Approval Process​

The process for administering the approval activities within the automotive business unit will generally result in the issuance of a single certificate of compliance in a form of an LOA or homologation certificate. On the contrary, the process for tyre homologation and LOA1 for individual vehicles specifically for imports, comprise a “two-stage approach” which results in the issuance of a dual certificate of compliance. This procedure was developed as an addendum to the automotive business plan to distinctly explain the application of the dual certification process applicable to tyre homologation and LOA1 for individual vehicles.

Describing the “Two-Stage Approach"​

All imported tyres are first subjected to stage 1 of the homologation by evaluating the submitted documentary evidence of conformity against the mandatory requirements. Once the evaluation process establishes that the type of tyre complies with the mandatory requirements applicable, a preliminary/conditional letter of compliance will be granted to the applicant. The preliminary/conditional letter compliance which is valid for a period of twelve months may be presented to the International Trade Association Commission (ITAC) to facilitate the importation of such tyres into the country.

The applicant shall present the sample tyre/s for which a preliminary/conditional compliance letter has been granted, for inspection and verification against the entire relevant mandatory requirements before offered to the market. Upon satisfaction that the documentary evidence of compliance and the sample presented meet all the applicable requirements including those in the preliminary/conditional letter of compliance granted, the final homologation approval letter will be granted to conclude the process.

Letter Of Authority (LOA) 1

Certain imported motor vehicles by private persons which are classified as high risk in accordance with the automotive risk criteria will be subjected to stage 1 of the vehicle LOA process by evaluating the submitted documentary evidence of conformity against the mandatory requirements as applicable. Once the evaluation process establishes that the vehicle model complies with the mandatory requirements applicable, a conditional LOA1 will be granted to the applicant. The conditional LOA1 is valid for a period of twelve months which may be presented at the port of entry to facilitate the importation and release of such vehicle into the country.

The applicant shall present the vehicle unit for which conditional LOA1 has been granted, for inspection and verification against the entire relevant mandatory requirements before registration on the electronic National Traffic information system (eNatis) can be permitted. Upon satisfaction that the documentary evidence of compliance and the vehicle unit presented to meet all the applicable requirements including those in the conditional LOA1 granted, the final LOA1 certificate will be granted to permit the registration of the vehicle unit. ​​

List of VC's of Regulated Products​